Posterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries

The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is one of four primary ligaments that provide knee stability. The PCL prevents the lower leg from sliding backward against the thigh bone of the upper leg. While not as common as injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), injuries to the PCL represent over twenty percent of all knee ligament injuries.

The PCL is often damaged as a result of “dashboard injuries” or knee hyperflexion. In automobile accidents where the shin strikes the dashboard, the lower leg is pushed backwards, stretching or tearing the PCL. Damage to the PCL in sports occurs when the athlete falls on the front of their knees, with the foot pointing down. This causes the lower leg to be pushed backwards, stretching or tearing the PCL.

The symptoms of a strained or torn PCL mirror those of an ACL injury. The most common symptoms are pain, swelling, knee instability and decreased range of motion. Athletes will often complain of a popping sound in their knee, coupled with their knee giving out from underneath them.

PCL damage is diagnosed by a description of how the injury occurred, physical examination, x-rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The physician or therapist will perform a posterior drawer test on the knee by pressing against the lower leg, while stabilizing the knee. If the lower leg moves backwards out of the normal range of motion, chances are there is damage to the PCL.

PCL injuries are typically graded I through III, similar to ACL injuries. Treatment and rehabilitation, however, have significance variances from standard ACL rehabilitation. Consultation with an orthopedic surgeon is typically recommended to assure appropriate treatment is provided. Regardless of the extent of your injury, a customized rehabilitation program provided by a license physical therapist is important in assuring a full recovery.

For more information on PCL injuries, email info@proaxistherapy.com. To make an appointment for therapy, please call Proaxis Therapy at (864) 454-0904.