Posterior Cruciate Ligament Injury

• April 12, 2023
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Three bones meet to form your knee joint: the femur (thighbone), the tibia (shinbone), and the patella (kneecap). The kneecap sits in front of the joint to provide some protection. Bones are connected to other bones by ligaments. There are four primary ligaments in your knee. One such ligament is PCL or The Posterior Cruciate Ligament which is found inside the knee, just behind the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and is the strongest ligament in the human body. It is one of several ligaments that connect the femur (thighbone) to the tibia (shinbone). The primary role of the PCL is to uphold the tibia from moving too much and going behind the femur.

The characteristic of the PCL to act as an elastic anchor ensures its capability to keep the tibia from moving too far back in relation to the femur. The PCL is both strong and flexible. However, if the knee suffers from a forceful impact while its flexed (bent), it may get stretched or torn. This type of injury to a ligament is commonly referred to as a sprain.

A variety of factors can cause this injury including:-

1. Direct impacts to the front of the knee, such as in a car accident or sports collision.
2. Hyperextension of the knee, which happens when the knee is forced to bend backward beyond its normal range of motion.
3. Sudden change in direction while the foot is planted on the ground, such as during sports like football or basketball.
4. Landing awkwardly from a jump or fall.
5. Twisting or rotating the knee forcefully while it is bent.

There can be different symptoms depending on the intensity of the injury. Some common symptoms are:-

1. Pain: It is the most common sign of a PCL injury. It is typically felt in the back of the knee and can be mild to severe depending on person to person.
2. Swelling: It is also a common symptom of a PCL injury. The knee may be visibly bloated or feel puffy to the touch.
3. Difficulty bearing weight: If the injury is severe, it may be difficult to put weight on the affected leg.
4. Clicking or popping: A clicking or popping sound may be heard when moving the knee joint.