Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Injury
What is the PCL? What does it do? And what happens when you damage it?
What is the posterior cruciate ligament and what does it do?
The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is one of several ligaments in your knee. Ligaments are like strong ropes that attach to your bones and help stabilize joints. The PCL connects the thigh bone to the back of the shin bone and helps keep your knee joint stable.
What causes a PCL injury?
A PCL isn’t easily damaged, but force to the front of the knee – perhaps from a fall, a car accident or a sporting collision – could be enough to either sprain it (that is, overstretch the ligament) or tear it entirely.
What are the symptoms of a PCL injury?
It’s quite common to injure the PCL and not notice it – particularly at first. Most people who visit our Cheltenham knee surgery find they can walk perfectly well after damaging their PCL. They may not notice too much (or any) pain initially and there may only be some mild swelling.
Over time and without treatment, however, they tend to find pain increasing, particularly at the back of the knee and especially when bending or kneeling. Some find running, walking long distances or walking downstairs or hills uncomfortable.
Symptoms of PCL damage are more immediately noticeable when other ligaments are damaged at the same time. This is often the case in a car accident or in a sporting collision, when you may experience more pain and swelling.
How do you diagnose a PCL tear?
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is highly accurate in helping to diagnose PCL tears and other scans and tests (such as an x-ray) may help Alex identify the extent of any tear and ensure the damage is limited only to the PCL. Contact our Gloucestershire knee clinic for a swift diagnosis.
How do you treat a PCL tear?
In the case of significant injury, perhaps where other parts of your knee are also injured, you may need to visit A&E for an examination and referral. Where the injury is less obviously severe, you can use over the counter painkillers. Ibuprofen may help to reduce swelling.
Then use the POLICE method of self-treatment. This is a development of the traditional RICE technique and involves:
- Protection: Rest initially and support the injured knee with crutches to avoid further damage.
- Optimum loading: Gradually start to move, increasing your range of movement if you knee allows it. Only do what feels right.
- Ice: Use a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel. Apply every 20 minutes for 2-3 days after injury.
- Compression: Use a bandage to reduce swelling. Be careful not to overtighten.
- Elevate: Raise the knee above the level of your heart to reduce swelling. You could, for example, lie on the sofa and place your leg on a cushion.
In addition, you should avoid heat, alcohol, running and massage (HARM) in the days after injury.
If pain or discomfort continues, book an appointment with our knee surgery for Cheltenham, Gloucester and the Cotswolds.
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Appointments
To make an appointment please either fill in the contact form and you will be called back by our secretary to arrange a convenient appointment time or get in touch directly.
Call Chrissie Holmyard 01242 246549 at Nuffield Health, Cheltenham.
