Back side view of knee joint showing Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tear
Overview of PCL (Knee)
Posterior cruciate is ligament wide central band like ligament located on back of knee connecting thigh bone (femur) to shin bone (tibia). Â PCL is one of the strongest supporting ligaments of the knee joint which prevents far backward movement of shin bone and keeps knee joint aligned.
PCL injury is not as common as other ligament injuries.
- Sports: direct impact on shin bone while landing on ground with bent knee as in football or kabbadi, knee twisting or hyperextension injury.
- Motor Vehicle accident – bent knee hitting  dash board of the car.
- Trivial trauma – missed step or twisting injury in overweight person, who lack of balancing sense.
Immediately after injury patient will experience:
- Painful movements with knee swelling.
- Bruise or abrasion at impact site over front of shin bone.
- Feeling of give-way, instability.
More severe PCL injury is usually associated with combined ligament (multi-ligament) damage and will have more unstable knee.
Do you have history of motor-vehicle accident and want to know about PCL injury?
You can consult Dr. Abhijit Ranaware (Knee and sports injury Specialist)
Book Appointment by Filling Form Below:
How is the PCL injury diagnosed?
Isolated PCL injury is subtle and can be missed.
Dr. Abhijit Ranaware will ask for detail history of traumatic event and check for laxity in both planes and compare with non-injured side. Injured leg looks to be sag far backwards when seen from sides as compared to normal knee. Dr. Abhijit Ranaware will also do special test specific to find out wheatear its isolated PCL or combined ligament injury. He will advise investigations like :
- X rays– to check for pulling of piece of bone with attached PCL, Knee bending posterior stress views.
- MRI to confirm diagnosis and show associated soft tissue injury.