Definition:
Posterior cruciate ligament injury is an injury to the ligaments located at the back of the knee, causing pain, disability and knee instability.
Diagnosis:
A physical examination of the knee, together with other tests, such as x-ray, MRI, posterior drawer test, anthroscopy and joint aspiration, may be done to diagnose posterior cruciate ligament injury.
Treatment:
Posterior cruciate ligament injury may be treated by applying ice packs to the knee, until the pain goes away, taking pain relievers, elevating the knee, wrapping an elastic bandage around the knee, and wearing a knee brace or using crutches, if necessary. Rehabilitation and surgery are also among the treatment options for this condition.
Symptoms and Signs:
The symptoms of a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury include: pain at the back of the knee, especially when kneeling, squatting, running, walking up or downstairs, sudden swelling and tenderness of the knee, difficulty walking, feeling of instability in the knee.
Causes:
An injury to the posterior cruciate ligament happens when it is hit hard, or a person suffered a fall on a bent knee, most commonly during motor vehicle accidents, or contact sports. Bending or extending the knee past its normal position is also among the causes of posterior cruciate ligament injury.
