Posterior Cruciate Ligament

Posterior Cruciate Ligament

PCL injury commonly occurs with other knee damage, including injuries to the nerves and blood vessels. These are usually a result of serious knee trauma, skiers and people who play basketball, football or soccer are more likely to have this type of injury.

SYMPTOMS – pain that worsens over time, swelling and inflammation, a feeling of instability in the knee, stiffness, difficulty walking, and trouble going down the stairs.

CAUSES- fall onto a bent knee, are hit hard on the front of your knee( think dashboard in a motor vehicle accident), bend your knee too far backward, dislocate your knee, land improperly after a jump.

PHYSICAL THERAPY

(RICE)- Rest, elevation, compression, and elevation

1. Immobilize the knee in a range of motion brace locked in extension for 2-3 weeks.
2. Assisted weight-bearing (PARTIAL TO FULL) for 2 weeks.
3. Range of motion exercises.