PCL Tears

PCL tear or Posterior Cruciate Ligament tear is a condition that leads to the damage or wearing away of the PCL in your knee. The posterior cruciate ligament is the same as the anterior cruciate ligament that connects the shin bone (tibia) and thigh bone (femur). Even though the PCL is stronger and larger than the ACL, it can tear. PCL tears or injury can damage the other cartilage or ligaments in your knee. It can also break a piece of the underlying bone in serious cases.

PCL tears constitute for only 20% of knee ligament injuries though. You should see an orthopedist for instant healing.

Causes

• Fall
• Motor vehicle accidents
• Twisting the knee

Symptoms

• Swelling
• Pain
• Unstable knee
• Inability to walk properly

Diagnosis

• X-Rays
• CT-scan
• MRI

Treatment

Non-surgical Treatments

The RICE Protocol: As an initial stage of treatment, your doctor may suggest going with the RICE protocol – rest, ice packs, compression, and elevation.

Immobilization: Your doctor will ask you to wear a brace or an immobilizer to protect the knee from further injury. It keeps the knee in place and you can use crutches to avoid putting excess weight on the affected leg.

Physical therapy: As soon as the swelling is controlled, you can go into a rehabilitation program developed by your physiotherapist. Simple exercises can help to strengthen the knee muscles and promoting faster healing.

Surgical Treatments

Ligament reconstruction: As suturing the ends of the ligament don’t bring them back together successfully, there is a need to rebuild the PCL. It is done using tissue grafts. The grafts are usually taken from another part of your body, or a donor. The process of surgery involves arthroscopy – a less invasive and cost-effective treatment options that involve developing small incision in the bone and passing an arthroscope and small surgical equipment through it.

Make sure to take the rehabilitation program post-surgery for complete healing of the repaired posterior cruciate ligaments.

Book an appointment and meet Dr Reddy for a detailed diagnosis and treatment program for PCL tears.