Question 1

what could cause posterior cruciate ligament (pcl) injury ?

Accepted Answer

Force!: The PCL is probably the strongest ligament in the knee.  It requires a significant amount of force or energy to cause it to tear.   Pcl tears are far less common than anterior cruciate ligament (acl) tears.

Question 2

could a posterior cruciate ligament (pcl) heal itself over time?

Accepted Answer

Usually not: Pcl injuries, if complete, have zero healing potential.  In partial injuries (sprains) depending on your age and other factors healing is possible.

Question 3

what is the definition or description of: posterior cruciate ligament?

Accepted Answer

Main knee stabilizer: The posterior cruciate ligament (pcl) is one of the main central ligaments within the knee that originates on the femur and inserts on the back of the tibia. The PCL prevents the tibia from displacing posteriorly.

Question 4

how serious is a posterior cruciate ligament tear?

Accepted Answer

It serious: While a posterior cruciate ligament injury generally causes less pain, disability and knee instability than does an acl tear, it can still sideline you for several weeks or months.

Question 5

is surgery the best option for a torn posterior cruciate ligament?

Accepted Answer

Not Necessarily: This is a hard question to answer without more information.  The answer depends on the left of physical activity.  If you participate in sports, or any activities that require you to shift the direction you are moving in, very quickly then surgery is the best option.  For normal activities such as walking and even occasional running PCL is not necessary.  At best you might need a brace for running.

Question 6

is the thermal shrinkage procedure effective for partial posterior cruciate ligament tears?

Accepted Answer

No: Thermal shrinkage has fallen out of favor.  There are no well done studies in the peer reviewed literature demonstrating the safety or efficay of this techniques for treating ACL or PCL tears.

Question 7

how is a posterior cruciate ligament injury typically treated?

Accepted Answer

Depends on laxity: If you have an acute (recent) PCL tear that does not cause much laxity, you will probably be treated with physical therapy that stresses aggressive rehabilitation of the quadriceps muscles, which are in the front of the thigh. Acute PCL tear that causes significant laxity or if you have injured more than one ligament, you may need surgery to repair or reconstruct your pcl.

Question 8

how is a posterior cruciate ligament injury typically diagnosed?

Accepted Answer

Examination: Most good sports medicine professionals will be able to tell you whether or not your PCL is torn based on your history and the physical examination they perform.  If there is a question, then an MRI can be ordered to confirm the physicians suspicions.

Question 9

what is the recovery time for a posterior cruciate ligament (pcl) sprain?

Accepted Answer

Mild sprain?: Typically the healing for a mild to moderate sprain would be 6-8 weeks
a grade 3 or complete tear might require  surgical correction.

Question 10

how much time does it take to recover from a posterior cruciate ligament (pcl) sprain?

Accepted Answer

Months: Depending on how severe the PCL strain is, it may take several months for complete healing.

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Posterior cruciate ligament signs

A member asked:

What could cause posterior cruciate ligament (pcl) injury ?

A member asked:

Could a posterior cruciate ligament (pcl) heal itself over time?

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: posterior cruciate ligament?

A member asked:

How serious is a posterior cruciate ligament tear?

A member asked:

Is surgery the best option for a torn posterior cruciate ligament?

A member asked:

Is the thermal shrinkage procedure effective for partial posterior cruciate ligament tears?

A member asked:

How is a posterior cruciate ligament injury typically treated?

A member asked:

How is a posterior cruciate ligament injury typically diagnosed?

A member asked:

What is the recovery time for a posterior cruciate ligament (pcl) sprain?

A member asked:

How much time does it take to recover from a posterior cruciate ligament (pcl) sprain?

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