What is a PCL Tear?

A PCL injury is when there’s a tear in the PCL (posterior cruciate ligament); the ligament that holds the 2 large bones of the leg (femur and tibia), right behind the knee.

Not all PCL injuries are very serious; they are classified into 3 grades: mild, moderate and severe, the latter requiring ligament reconstruction surgery.

How to know if you have a serious ligament tear?

Consult your doctor if you have any of these signs of a knee ligament tear:

medisync's PCL Tear Symptoms Checklist

• An unstable knee, that seems to buckle especially when you stand
• Mild pain behind the knee, especially when you try kneeling
• Mild swelling around the knee
• Pain increases when you try running or stop walking suddenly 
• A slight limp when you try walking 

What happens during PCL surgery?

Your orthopedic would conduct an arthroscopy, similar to a laparoscopy, to examine your knee. A small incision would be made over the knee to examine the extent of PCL knee injury.

Surgical tools would be sent through the incision to repair the torn ligament. The injured PCL is replaced most commonly with a tendon from the knee or heel. Rarely, the orthopedic surgeon would use a tissue from a deceased donor instead.

Physiotherapy and rehabilitation follows surgery, to help you completely recover mobility.

How long should PCL tear recovery time be?

Recovery may take upto 4-12 months but will ensure your complete recovery.

Should you get a PCL surgery?

It is crucial that you meet your doctor (visit an orthopedic) if you have any knee-related pain. Severe pain and inability to move your legs are the first signs of knee ligament tears, and it worsens as you use your joints to move, day by day.

You may also have other injuries such as an ACL and PCL tear together, and even knee fractures, which require urgent treatment, on time.

Surgery is the only way to repair serious ligament tears before they worsen further.

Are there any PCL injury tests?

Physical examination: Your orthopedic would press the knee region and check for abnormal movement, with your knee bent. The swelling and tenderness of the knee is also checked. Your doctor would also ask you what happened during the accident/injury, to rule out other conditions.

Imaging tests:Your doctor may first order an X-ray to understand if the ligaments are separated from the bone. An ultrasound or an MRI may be ordered to assess the severity of your injury, along with examining other damages to surrounding ligaments and tissue.

Your doctor would then ask you to opt for physiotherapy to improve your mobility and strength, along with certain steps to reduce your pain and swelling at home. 

If your PCL injury is severe and accompanied with other serious knee injuries, you would be asked to have a PCL ligament reconstruction surgery.