PCL Injury

The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) can be found at the back of the knee. This is one of the many ligaments that link the femur with the thigh (shinbone). The posterior cruciate ligament helps to keep the tibia from moving in the backward direction too far. The posterior cruciate ligament also helps to maintain a stable knee joint, most especially at the back of the joint. An injury to the posterior cruciate ligament can be accompanied with straining, spraining, or tearing any part of that ligament. The least commonly affected ligament in the knee is the posterior cruciate ligament.

A powerful force is required before the posterior cruciate ligament can be injured. The common cause of injury is a bent knee, this is a result of hitting your knee with a dashboard during a car accident or a football player that falls on a bent knee. Another name for a PCL injury is "extended knees".

Although an injury to the posterior cruciate ligament often results in less pain disability and knee instability than does an ACL tear, it can still be prevented for weeks to months.

What are the Causes of a Posterior Cruciate Ligament Injury?

The leading cause of a posterior cruciate ligament injury is severe trauma to the knee joint. They often also affect other ligaments in the knee. One other cause that is specific to posterior cruciate ligament injury is hyperextension of the knee. This can happen during sporting activities such as jumping.

Tearing of the posterior cruciate ligament can occur if the shinbone is hit hard just underneath the knee or in the event that you fall on a bent knee. These injuries are most common during:

1. Road accidents. This is called a "dashboard Injury" and it occurs when a driver's or passengers bent knee hits the dashboard, pushing the tibia immediately below the knee and resulting in the tearing of posterior cruciate ligament to tear.

2. Contact sports. Athletes playing football and soccer sports can tear their posterior cruciate ligament at the time they fall on a bent knee with their foot pointed down. The shinbone hits the ground first and it moves in the backward direction. When you are tackled with your knees bent can also cause this injury.

What are the Symptoms of a PCL Injury?

The symptoms of a PCL injury differ as it can either be mild or severe, depending on the degree of injury. Symptoms may be non-existent if the ligament is mildly sprained. For partial or complete tear of the ligament, common symptoms include:

• Stiffness in the joint.
• Difficulty walking.
• Instability in the knee joint.
• Pain in the knee joint.
• Swelling in the knee.

PCL Injury Treatment

Treatment for a PCL Injury requires restoring the circulation and blood flow to the affected structures in your knee. Pain is caused when swelling, inflammation and decreased circulation generate a blockage, which causes blood flow to be interrupted or slowed. Treatment for this issue requires breaking up the accumulated fluids in your knee to allow for improved healing and quicker recovery.

Products recommended for symptoms of swelling, redness, pain, and inflammation, and if coolness makes your pain feel better:

Ice Substitute Poultice

Bruise Relief Liniment

Muscle Therapy Massage Oil

Products recommended when swelling and inflammation are gone, but you still feel pain, stiffness, weakness, and/or sensitivity in cold and damp weather, and if heat makes your pain feel better:

Pain Relief Liniment

Tendon and Ligament Poultice

Muscle Therapy Massage Oil