The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is connective tissue located within the knee. The PCL connects the thighbone to the shinbone. This connection keeps the shinbone from moving too far backward, stabilizing the knee.

• Sports injury
• Motor vehicle accident
• Fall on a bent knee
• Strong force to the leg immediately below the kneecap
• Knee dislocation

• Pain and swelling in the knee
• Soreness in the area behind the knee
• Weakness or instability in the knee
• Difficulty walking
• Pain when moving the knee

• X-ray
• MRI scan

• Grade 1—Mild ligament damage.
• Grade 2—Partial tearing of the ligament.
• Grade 3—Complete tearing of the ligament.

• Exercises to help promote recovery.  Specifically, therapists will prescribe a program to strengthen the whole leg as well improve its range of motion.
• Balance exercises will allow you to return to your daily activities, including work and sports while decreasing your risk of falling and reinjuring yourself.
• Hands on treatment to keep your knee joint from becoming stiff
• Ice and vasopneumatic pressure to reduce any swelling and pain

• Protect your knees by doing regular strengthening exercises for your thighs.
• Maintain proper technique when exercising or playing sports.

This content was created using EBSCO's Health Library

RESOURCES:

• American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

• American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

• Canadian Orthopaedic Association

• Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation

REFERENCES:

• Knee sprains and meniscal injuries. Merck Manual for Health Care Professionals. Available at:  http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/injuries_poisoning/fractures_dislocations_and_sprains/knee_sprains_and_meniscal_injuries.html Updated August 2013. Accessed February 28, 2014.
• Ligament injuries to the knee. John Hopkins Medicine website. Available at.  http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/conditions/adult/orthopaedic_disorders/ligament_injuries_to_the_knee_85,P00926/ Accessed February 28, 2014.
• Posterior cruciate ligament injuries. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Ortho Info website. Available at:  http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00420 Updated February 2009. Accessed February 28, 2014.
• Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:  http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed Updated February 13, 2014. Accessed February 28, 2014.
• 10/26/2010 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance  http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed: Massey T, Derry S, Moore R, McQuay H. Topical NSAIDs for acute pain in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010 (6):CD007402.