How Can You Get A PCL Injury?
PCL tears stand for Posterior cruciate ligament tears. The PCL is one of the most important ligaments in the knee because it helps keep the knee stable. It helps your knee move back and forth, as well as keeps the bones in your legs in the right place. It is also the strongest knee ligament. Therefore, an injury to the PCL is very serious. If you are suffering from a PCL injury, New York Sports Medicine Institute’s orthopedic specialist can help you!
What Does PCL Stand For?
PCL stands for Posterior Cruciate Ligament. This ligament is one of the key structures within the knee joint, helping to stabilize it by connecting the femur (thigh bone) to the tibia (shin bone). The Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) is one of the four major ligaments of the knee, along with the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL), Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL), and Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL). It is located deep within the knee joint and plays a crucial role in stabilizing the knee during movement. The PCL runs diagonally from the back of the femur (thigh bone) to the front of the tibia (shin bone). Its primary function is to prevent the tibia from moving too far backward in relation to the femur, especially when the knee is flexed. This helps to maintain the proper alignment and stability of the knee joint during activities such as walking, running, and jumping.
How do I know if I have a PCL Injury?
A few symptoms can help you determine if you may be experiencing a PCL injury. You may experience mild pain in the knee, and the pain can progress over time. Some additional symptoms include instability in the knee, especially when walking or running. Additionally, the ligament in the knee can shift, making it even more unstable. After a PCL injury, it is also common to experience swelling directly after the injury occurs. This can be a potential indicator of a PCL injury. As a result of the swelling, stiffness in the knee can occur. The swelling, instability, and stiffness cause difficulty walking down and up the stairs. If you have injured your PCL, contact our orthopedic doctor for treatment!
How Can You Get A PCL Injury?
PCL injuries are not as common as you would think they are. Approximately less than 20% of injuries involving knee ligaments are PCL injuries. However, they are still serious injuries, and knowing a few ways to get a PCL injury is essential. PCL tears usually occur in addition to other knee ligament injuries. A PCL injury involves the twisting or hyperextension of the knee. The injury usually requires a lot of force directed at the knee to cause injury. Some ways a PCL injury occurs are being hit hard in the knee, taking a hard fall on a bent knee, hyperextension, or hyperflexion. Hyperflexion is the excessive bending of the knee backward. In addition, landing badly after jumping can lead to a PCL injury. Lastly, dislocating your knee is another way PCL injuries occur.
Who Is More Likely To Get A PCL Injury?
Anyone can get a PCL injury. However, certain people are more susceptible to PCL injuries than others. For example, athletes who participate in football, soccer, and skiing are at a higher risk for PCL injuries because of the strain put on their knees and the risk of falling or being hit hard in the knee. Also, those who have been in a car accident where their legs took a hard impact are at a higher risk. Although these people are at an increased risk of injuring their PCL, anyone can injure their PCL through hyperextension, hyperflexion, a hard hit to the knee, or falling on a bent knee.
Treatment for PCL Injuries With An Orthopedic Surgeon
PCL injuries can be treated in a couple of ways. New York Sports Medicine Institute’s orthopedic surgeon has years of experience helping treat PCL injuries. For minor injuries, our orthopedic uses RICE. RICE stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. However, for moderate to severe injuries, physical therapy and surgery may be required. Physical therapy helps strengthen the leg and knee muscles and supports the knee during the healing process. Orthopedic surgery is also a proven treatment for PCL injuries. The orthopedic surgeon would take a graft from a different part of the body and use it to replace the torn ligament. Additionally, orthopedic surgeons can use minimally invasive surgical techniques to rebuild the PCL for a quicker healing process.
Contact Us- New York Sports Medicine Institute
PCL injuries can be very serious. Injuries like this cause difficulty in our daily lives. Therefore it’s crucial to get the treatment that best suits the individual and their lifestyle. At New York Sports Medicine Institute, our orthopedic surgeon strives to provide medical treatment that is best suited for the client and their lifestyle. From minor injuries to severe, we treat each patient with care and take the time to decide the most suitable treatment for the injury. New York Sports Medicine Institute can treat your PCL injury and help you live pain-free. Contact us today to book an appointment!