Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Injury

Injury to the PCL occurs when direct force is applied to the front of a bent knee, such as hitting the dashboard in a car accident or falling hard on a bent knee. The ligament may also be pulled or stretched in a twisting injury, which can happen with an awkward landing after jumping.

Symptoms include:

• Knee joint instability
• Knee joint pain
• Knee swelling and tenderness in the space behind the knee (popliteal fossa).

Treatments may include:

• Braces to support the knee
• Crutches to reduce the weight on the knee
• Physiotherapy to strengthen the supporting muscles and increase the range of motion
• Rest, elevation, and ice therapy to the knee

Doctor may recommend surgery for ligament reconstruction depending on the situation.