Posterior Cruciate Ligament Surgery
What is the PCL?
The PCL is the posterior cruciate ligament, one of the major ligaments of the knee. It runs from the femur, or thigh bone, to the tibia, or shin bone.
Together with the anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, it gives your knee rotational stability.
What are the symptoms of an PCL injury?
Symptoms of an PCL tear include:
• Swelling of the knee joint soon after the injury
• Pain in the knee joint more so on the back of the knee
• Difficulty in sitting cross-legged.
• Instability of knee
What can cause a PCL injury?
A PCL injury most commonly happens as a result vehicular accidents, but not limited to it. You might injure your PCL when you:
• dashboard injury
• Fall on the knee with posteriorly directed force
• Knee dislocation
How is a PCL injury diagnosed?
Doctor carefully reviews your symptoms and medical history when considering whether you have a possible PCL tear. In addition to a
thorough physical exam, he orders diagnostic tests such as X-rays, MRI scans, and a stress test of the ligament, and may recommend
arthroscopy, a type of diagnostic surgery.
How is a PCL injury treated?
If your knee still retains its stability, doctor may recommend nonsurgical treatment methods. You can control your pain and swelling with the
RICE protocol, which involves rest, ice, compression, and elevation. You may need to wear a knee brace to provide extra support and
prevent excess mobility in the joint. Physical therapy can also help improve the strength of the muscles surrounding the knee and maximize
range of motion in the joint.
Surgery is an option for people who want to return to sports competition, especially young athletes. During surgery, doctor makes small incisions
and inserts an arthroscope and inspects the joint. To tighten the joint and restore its stability, he replaces the torn ligament with a tissue graft
obtained from your patellar tendon or hamstring. Following the surgery, you undergo a comprehensive rehabilitation
program that includes physical therapy so you can return to full function.
If you suspect you’ve suffered an PCL knee injury, contact Dr. Harsha C M or book an appointment online for diagnosis and effective treatment today.