Football fans may often hear about torn ACLs. But the PCL (which stands for posterior cruciate ligament) is often less understood. PCL tears aren’t all that common. Compromising less than 20%of knee ligament injuries, a PCL injury can be painful and debilitating and can cause some serious issues with your knee, such as osteoarthritis, if not addressed adequately.
PCL injuries often go undiagnosed or are initially diagnosed as knee sprains. This can lead to complications and discomfort, also. That’s why it’s important to see an orthopedic specialist when there is an issue with the knee. Highly-trained specialists like those at Advanced Orthopedics in Denver, Parker, and Aurora, Colorado. If it is a PCL tear, they’ll know, and they’ll know how to treat it to get you up and going again. Wherever you want to go.
PCL OVERVIEW
Posterior cruciate ligament injuries to the knee are acute and often happen without warning. What makes a PCL less common? The PCL—posterior cruciate ligament– is twice as thick as the ACL—anterior cruciate ligament. This results in fewer injuries than the ACL due to its stronger nature. Although it is larger and stronger than the ACL, the PCL can be torn. 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. PCL injuries can happen to anyone, but they’re especially common among skiers and athletes who play baseball, football, or soccer. They can even happen to children participating in high-speed sports such as basketball.
ABOUT THE KNEE
The knee is one of the largest and most complex joints in the body. As such, it is very vulnerable to injury. The knee is a hinge joint, allowing one to sit, squat, or jump. It is designed to fulfill several functions: support the body in an upright position without the need for muscles to work, help lower and raise the body, act as a shock absorber and provide balance.
The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) and the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) are two tough bands of fibrous tissue that connect the thighbone (femur) and the large bone of the lower leg (tibia) at the knee joint. Together, the ACL and PCL bridge the inside of the knee joint, forming an “X” pattern that stabilizes the knee against front-to-back and back-to-front forces. In particular, the PCL prevents the lower leg from slipping too far back in relation to the upper leg, especially when the knee is flexed (bent).
PCL INJURY
When the PCL is sprained or torn, it’s called a posterior cruciate ligament injury. Injuries that tear the PCL often damage some of the other ligaments or cartilage in the knee, and can injure, nerves and blood vessels as well. In some cases, the ligament can also break loose a piece of the underlying bone. An injury to the PCL can cause mild to severe damage. Doctors classify PCL injuries into these groups:
- Grade I: The PCL has a partial tear.
- Grade II: The ligament is partially torn and is looser than in Grade I.
- Grade III: The ligament is completely torn, and the knee becomes unstable.
- Grade IV: The PCL is damaged along with another ligament in the knee.
PCL problems can be acute or chronic. Acute PCL problems are due to a sudden injury. Chronic PCL problems involve an injury that develops over time.
Continue reading about PCL Tears at Orthopedic Centers of Colorado.
