The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is found inside the knee. It is comparable to the anterior cruciate ligament that connects the femur to the shin bone. The only difference is that the posterior cruciate ligament is stronger and bigger but it is also prone to tears. Tears to the posterior cruciate ligament are not common and often damage some of the surrounding ligaments in the knee. In some cases, the ligament can even detach a piece of underlying bone.
What are the causes of PCL injuries?
Damage to the posterior cruciate ligament is frequently caused by a strike to the knee while it is bent particularly when the knee hits the dashboard during a vehicular accident or when falling while the knee is bent. Certain sports can cause injuries such as soccer, skiing, football and baseball.
How PCL injuries are graded
Take note that an injury to the posterior cruciate ligament is categorized as mild to severe.
- Grade 1 involves a partial tear on the PCL
- Grade 2 involves the partial tear on the ligament and becomes loose
- Grade 3 involves the complete tear on the ligament and the knee becomes unstable
- Grade 4 involves damage to the PCL along with the surrounding ligaments in the knee
Injuries to the PCL can either be acute or chronic. In acute cases, they are due to abrupt injuries while a chronic case involves any injury that develops over time.
Symptoms of PCL injuries
Once an injury to the PCL is sustained, many individuals believe that they only have a minor problem with the knee. If you suspect an injury to the PCL, the following symptoms will manifest:
- Knee pain
- Swelling
- Difficulty walking or bearing weight on the affected knee
- Wobbling sensation in the knee
If left untreated, a tear on the posterior cruciate ligament will eventually develop into osteoarthritis in the knee.
Treatment for posterior cruciate ligament injuries
When treating PCL injuries, you will surely benefit a lot if you have previously enrolled in a first aid class. You can utilize the RICE method and make sure that the affected knee is protected from further injury.
The affected knee must be allowed to rest and apply an ice pack or cold compress several times in a day. Compress the knee in a gentle manner by using an elastic bandage and elevate the knee to minimize the swelling. You can also provide over-the-counter medications to help relieve the pain.
An individual can recover from PCL injuries without surgery. Cases that do not require surgery include grade 1 or 2 injuries as long as no other knee ligaments are damaged and newly diagnosed chronic injuries that only affect the PCL. Take note that some individuals are required to undergo physical therapy after an injury. This rehabilitation might be necessary with or without surgery to restore the functionality of the affected part.