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Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury - Treatment

Alternative Names

Cruciate ligament injury - posterior; PCL injury; Knee injury - posterior cruciate ligament (PCL); Hyperextended knee

First Aid:

Initial treatment of a PCL injury includes splinting, applying ice to the area, elevating the joint (above the level of the heart), and taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain.

Limit physical activity until the swelling is down, motion is normal, and the pain is gone. Physical therapy should be involved to help regain joint and leg strength. If the injury happens suddenly ( acute), or you have a high activity level, surgery may be necessary. This may be either knee arthroscopy or "open" surgical reconstruction.

Age has an effect on treatment -- younger patients are more likely to have problems without surgery, as reattachment can be more difficult.

Call immediately for emergency medical assistance if:

Call your health care provider if symptoms of PCL injury occur.

Call your health care provider if you are being treated for PCL injury and you notice increased instability in your knee, if pain or swelling return after they initially subsided, or if your injury does not appear to be getting better with time.

Also call if you re-injure your knee.

Arthroscopy

Posterior cruciate ligament of the knee

Reviewed last on: 7/16/2007
A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: Greg Juhn, M.T.P.W., David R. Eltz, Kelli A. Stacy. Previously reviewed by Kevin B. Freedman, MD, MSCE, Sports Medicine, Orthopaedic Specialists, Bryn Mawr, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (5/31/2006).

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