The Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is the strongest ligament located in the knee joint. The PCL is located behind the knee and extends from the femur to the tibia. Of the four ligaments located within the knee, the PCL is the least commonly injured. Most injuries occur as a result of a direct blow to the front of the knee during a contact sport or an automobile accident, but can also be a result of a fall on a bent knee.
Symptoms of a PCL injury typically include pain, swelling, stiffness, and reduced mobility. PCL injuries are usually graded as I, II, and III. In grade I the ligament is slightly stretched but the knee joint is stable. In grade II the ligament is slightly torn, but a grade III injury is where the ligament is completely torn into two and the knee joint is unstable.
Depending on the severity of the PCL tear, your orthopedic specialist will likely recommend non-surgical treatments first. In the rare instance that you have been diagnosed with a grade III injury, surgery is required to repair the completely torn ligament. For most cases, your doctor will recommend the following:
- RICE: (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation). Avoid any activities that cause pain or swelling. Apply ice to the area for 15-20 minutes several times throughout the day. Wrap the knee with an elastic bandage to help minimize swelling. Elevating the knee above the heart can help minimize pain and swelling.
- Wear a knee brace: Wearing a knee brace will provide stability while your injury is healing.
- Use crutches: Your doctor may recommend the use of crutches to help avoid bearing weight on the injured knee.
- Medications: NSAIDs(non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can reduce pain and inflammation.
- Physical therapy- physical therapy can help to strengthen muscles that surround the knee and provide better stabilization.
If non-surgical treatments have not provided you relief, your doctor may recommend surgery. In the majority of cases, surgeons perform PCL tears arthroscopically. Arthroscopic procedures are minimally invasive in nature, and allow the surgeon to make repairs without making a large incision. With a few small incisions, a tiny camera is inserted into the joint and the surgeon corrects the damaged area. A PCL surgery usually requires a graft to repair the ligament. The two types of grafts include the autograft (uses tissue from another part of your body), or an allograft (uses tissue from a cadaver) to reconstruct the ligament. Recovery time varies for everyone but most patients resume normal activity within 6 months to one year.
Thanks to incredible advances in sports medicine, there are many different options for treating ligament injuries to the knee. Dr. Kai Mithoefer has extensive experience in treating knee-related conditions. Call our office today and schedule a consultation!
Dr. Kai Mithoefer is board-certified in both Orthopedic Surgery and Orthopedic sports medicine specialist. Dr. Mithoefer is an internationally recognized specialist for complex shoulder and knee injuries with over 15 years of experience with the treatment of sports-related injuries. Dr. Mithoefer has published more than 100 scientific articles and book chapters and is a frequent speaker at national and international orthopedic meetings.
