Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Injury

The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is the strongest ligament in the knee. It extends from the top-rear surface of the tibia (bone between the knee and ankle) to the bottom-front surface of the femur (bone that extends from the pelvis to the knee). This ligament prevents the tibia from moving too much and going behind the femur. A PCL injury (which may also be called hyperextended knee) is a partial or complete tearing or stretching of any part of the posterior cruciate ligament. The PCL is usually injured by overextending the knee. This can happen if you land awkwardly after jumping. The PCL can also become injured from a direct blow to the flexed knee, such as falling hard on a bent knee.

Symptoms of PCL injury: People with PCL injuries may experience a wide range of symptoms, including:

• Pain that worsens over time.
• Swelling and inflammation.
• A feeling of instability in the knee.
• Stiffness.
• Difficulty walking.
• Trouble going down the stairs.

Causes of PCL injury: It usually takes quite a powerful force to injure your posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). It’s often caused by a direct blow to the front of your knee when it’s bent, which extends it beyond the normal range of movement. This can happen if you:

• Fall forward onto a bent knee
• Have a car accident and hit your knees on the dashboard, which can tear your PCL
• Are playing sport and have a direct blow to your knee from a collision with another player

Diagnosis of PCL injury: Your healthcare provider will examine your knee, check your range of motion and ask about your symptoms. They may also request imaging tests to determine the extent of damage. These tests may include:

• X-rays.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
• A CT (computed tomography) scan.

Treatment of PCL injury: It depends on the severity of your PCL injury. Common posterior cruciate ligament treatments include:

• Crutches. Your healthcare provider may recommend using crutches to limit how much weight you put on your knee.
• Surgery. If your PCL injury is severe, surgery may be necessary for full rehabilitation. In most cases, knee arthroscopy is performed to reconstruct your ligament. This procedure is less invasive compared to traditional surgical methods.
• Knee brace. Bracing your knee can address instability a common PCL symptom.
• Physical therapy. Certain exercises can help strengthen and stabilize your knee.

Exercises of PCL injury: Exercise can help in managing posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury. The PCL is one of the four main ligaments in the knee joint, and it is responsible for preventing the tibia bone from moving too far backward in relation to the femur bone. PCL injuries often occur as a result of sports injuries or car accidents.

• Quad Sets
• Short Arc Quads
• Heel Slides
• Hamstring Set
• Ankle Circles
• Personalized Exercise Program By SPTRC Specialists.

Effective management of PCL injury at Spine Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation Centre (SPTRC) in Shyamoli requires teamwork among medical professionals and patients, which in turn improves the patients' quality of life.

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