The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), is one of four ligaments important to the stability of the knee joint. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), sits just in front of the PCL. The ACL is much better known, in part because ACL tears are much more commonly diagnosed than injuries to the PCL. Interestingly, it is thought that PCL injuries account for up to 20 percent of knee ligament injuries, however, the PCL is seldom talked about because these injuries are often left undiagnosed.1
The PCL is the ligament that prevents the tibia (shin bone) from sliding too far backward. Along with the ACL which keeps the tibia from sliding too far forward, the PCL helps to maintain the tibia in a position below the femur (thigh bone).
PCL Tears
The most common mechanism of injury of the PCL is the so-called "dashboard injury."1 This occurs when the knee is bent, and an object forcefully strikes the shin backward. It is called a 'dashboard injury' because this can be seen in car collisions when the shin forcefully strikes the dashboard. The other common mechanism of injury is a sports injury when an athlete falls on the front of their knee. In this injury, the knee is hyper flexed (bent all the way back), with the foot held pointing downwards. These types of injuries stress the PCL, and if the force is high enough, a PCL tear can be the result.
PCL injuries are also commonly seen with severe trauma that can cause injury to many knee structures. PCL tears can be associated with other knee ligament injuries, including ACL tears, MCL tears, and LCL tears.2 They can also be found with complex ligament injury patterns such as posterolateral rotatory instability. In addition, PCL injuries may be associated with meniscus tears and cartilage damage. Often these more severe patterns of injury occur with a knee dislocation.
Symptoms of PCL Tears
The most common symptoms of a PCL tear are quite similar to the symptoms of an ACL tear. Knee pain, swelling and decreased motion are common with both injuries.1 Patients may have a sensation that their knee "popped" or gave out. Problems with knee instability in the weeks and months following PCL injury are not as common as instability following an ACL tear. When patients have instability after a PCL injury they usually state that they can't "trust" their knee, or that it feels as though the knee may give out. If this complaint of instability is a problem after a PCL injury, it may be an indication to proceed with surgery.
The major factor in making the diagnosis of a PCL tear is by knowing how the injury happened. Knowing the story of the injury (for example, the position of the leg and the action taking place) will help in making the diagnosis. Specific maneuvers can test the function of the PCL. The most reliable is the posterior drawer test.2 With the knee bent, your healthcare provider will push the tibia backward; this stresses the PCL. If the PCL is deficient or torn, the tibia will slide too far backward, and indicate an injury to the PCL.
X-rays and MRIs are also helpful in clarifying the diagnosis and detecting any other structures of the knee that may be injured. It is common to find other ligament injuries or cartilage damage when a PCL tear is found.
PCL tears are graded by the severity of the injury, grade I through grade III.2 The grade is determined by the extent of laxity measured during your examination. In general, grading of the injury corresponds to the following:
- Grade I: Partial tears of the PCL.
- Grade II: Isolated, complete tear to the PCL.
- Grade III: Tear of the PCL with other associated ligament injuries.
Treatment of a PCL Tear
Treatment of PCL tears is controversial, and, unlike the treatment of an ACL tear, there is little agreement about the optimal treatment for all patients.1 Initial treatment of the pain and swelling consists of the use of crutches, ice, and elevation. Once these symptoms have settled, physical therapy is beneficial to improve knee motion and strength. Nonoperative treatment is recommended for most grade I and grade II PCL tears.
Surgical reconstruction of the PCL is controversial, and usually only recommended for grade III PCL tears. Because of the technical difficulty of the surgery, some orthopedic surgeons do not see the benefit of PCL reconstruction. Others, however, believe PCL reconstruction can lead to improved knee stability and lower the likelihood of problems down the road.
Surgical PCL reconstruction is difficult in part because of the position of the PCL in the knee. Trying to place a new PCL graft in this position is difficult, and over time these grafts are notorious for stretching out and becoming less functional. Generally, surgical PCL reconstruction is reserved for patients who have injured several major knee ligaments, or for those who cannot do their usual activities because of persistent knee instability.