What is Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Injury?
The Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) stands as a critical stabilising structure within the knee joint, responsible for resisting excessive posterior rotational instability of the tibia (Shin bone) concerning the femur (thigh bone). The PCL is larger and stronger than the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) and requires a more unlikely position in order for it to become compromised, making PCL injuries less common than ACL injuries.
The mechanism of PCL injury typically involves a forceful anterior trauma to the knee, where the joint is subjected to sudden hyperflexion, surpassing its physiological limits. This hyperflexion places undue stress on the PCL, leading to partial or complete rupture of the ligament. Unlike ACL injuries, which commonly occur during activities involving sudden stops, changes in direction, or landing from jumps, PCL injuries often result from direct blows to the front of the knee, such as those experienced in motor vehicle accidents, falls onto flexed knees, or sports-related collisions.
Damage to the PCL is rarely an isolated event; it often entails concurrent injuries to surrounding structures within the knee joint, including the menisci, collateral ligaments, and articular cartilage. Consequently, patients with PCL injuries may present with acute onset of knee pain following the traumatic event, accompanied by a modest degree of swelling due to rupture of the joint capsule. However, significant swelling may not be as prominent as in ACL injuries, owing to the PCL’s deeper location within the knee joint.
A well-known sign of PCL injury is the development of discoloration or bruising on the posterior aspect of the calf several days following the incident. This discoloration, known as “posterior knee pain syndrome,” arises from the extravasation of blood into the soft tissues surrounding the PCL, indicative of significant trauma to the ligament.
If you are suffering from Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Injury, we have a team who is ready to help you and get you on the road to recovery. Book an appointment with Precision Health today!
Call us on (02) 9639 7337 or book online.
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Shoulder Pain
Elbow Pain
- Ulnar Collateral Ligament Sprain/Strain
- Radial Head Subluxation (Nursemaid’s Elbow)
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