Posterior cruciate ligament injury: symptoms, medications, etc. • hello healthy

Definition

What is a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury?

The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is the ligament found in the knee. Ligaments are hard tissues that connect one bone to another.

The cruciate ligament (cruciate) is a pair of connective tissue that serves to attach the femur to the shin. The name krusiatum itself is taken from the Latin "crux" which in English is called "cross" or cross because of the shape of the pair of ligaments that cross each other.

The cruciate ligament consists of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL).

The PCL - similar to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) - connects the thighbone (femur) to the shin bone (tibia). Although the PCL is tougher and wider than the ACL, it can still be injured as well.

An injury that damages or tears PCL is a condition that usually also damages ligaments or other cartilage in the knee. In some cases, ligaments can also break the bones connected to them.

How common are these injuries?

PCL tears are a rare condition in less than 20 percent of knee ligament injuries. This is one of the rarer knee injuries than other types. Talk to your doctor for complete information.

Signs and symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury?

Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, common symptoms of PCL injuries are:

• Pain in the knee that can cause a slight limp or difficulty walking.
• The knee swells within hours of injury.
• The knees felt loose, as if they were about to come off.

If there are no other injuries to the knee area, the symptoms of PCL injury can sometimes be difficult to spot. However, over time the pain can get worse and the knee may feel less firm. Meanwhile, if you have another knee injury, the symptoms may be felt more quickly and easily recognized.

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

If you have any signs or symptoms above or any other questions, please consult your doctor. Everyone's body is different. Always consult a doctor to treat your health condition.

Cause

What causes posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury?

PCL injury is a condition that occurs when your shin is hit hard, a few centimeters below your knee, or if you fall on your knees or if your knees are bent.

PCL injuries are the most common when:

• Motor vehicle accidents. For example, when a passenger's bent knee or shin collides dashboard car.
• Sports. Soccer players usually experience PCL injuries when they fall with their knees bent. As a result, the knee will kick the ground first. Injury can also occur when an opposing player tackle your feet or knees.

Diagnosis & treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How is this injury diagnosed?

Your doctor will ask what happened when the injury occurred. The doctor can also ask:

• During the injury, was your knee straight, bent, or twisted?
• How do you feel after injuring your knee?
• Were there any other symptoms prior to the injury?

The doctor will also perform a physical examination. Usually you are asked to lie down with your knees bent. The doctor will gently press the upper shin bone. If you have abnormal knee movements, you are very likely to have a PCL injury.

You may also be examined with a special instrument, namely an arthrometer. This tool is pressed against your leg to measure how tight your ligaments are.

To confirm a further diagnosis, your doctor may also ask you to walk. Strange gait can indicate a PCL injury.

In certain cases, you may need an X-ray (x-ray) scan to check for broken bones. Meanwhile, to determine the location of the PCL tear, the doctor can recommend an MRI test.

To see the structure of the ligaments damaged by a thigh injury, an MRI, arthrogram, or X-ray may be used. MRI is the most sensitive scanning technique (90-98%) and can reveal a tear in the anterior cruciate ligament.

How is a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury treated?

Treatment depends on the condition of each injury. Most patients do not need surgery.

As an emergency handler, the first thing to do is reduce pain and swelling with the RICE principle (rest, ice, compress, and elevation) and administering pain relievers such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Rest your knees using assistive devices such as crutches for a while.

After the first treatment, the next step of treatment depends on the degree and type of injury, starting from the rehabilitation program or undergoing surgery to reconstruct the damaged thigh ligament.

The following are treatment options for PCL injuries:

Drugs

To reduce pain and swelling, you can take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen and naproxen sodium.

Physical therapy

Physical therapy helps you strengthen ligaments and speed up their recovery. You may also need a walking stick or crutches until your knee has completely healed.

Operation

If the injury is serious, especially if there is another condition such as a broken bone or cartilage damage, you may need surgery to repair the shape of the injured ligament.

Surgery will also be considered if you have had the same injury many times after being treated. This postoperative recovery takes a certain amount of time.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be done to treat a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury?

Here are home remedies and lifestyle changes to treat PCL injuries:

• Rest and protect the injured knee. You may need crutches to walk.
• Cold compress your knee for 20 to 30 minutes every 3 hours until the pain or swelling subsides (usually within three days).
• Wrap your knee area with a bandage.
• Lie on your back and place a pillow that is slightly high under your knees to reduce swelling.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.