What is a PCL injury?

A PCL injury is damage to the posterior cruciate ligament, one of the major stabilising ligaments inside the knee. The PCL mainly prevents the shin bone from moving too far backward relative to the thigh bone.

PCL injuries are less common than ACL injuries and usually occur when a strong force pushes the shin backward while the knee is bent.

Common causes include

• The knee striking a dashboard during a road accident
• Falling directly onto a bent knee
• Contact sports injuries
• Hyperflexion or hyperextension of the knee
• Severe twisting trauma

Symptoms may include pain, swelling, difficulty walking, and a feeling of instability. Some isolated PCL injuries can be less dramatic immediately after injury than ACL tears.

Treatment depends on the severity of the injury and whether other ligaments are also damaged. Mild or isolated injuries may respond to bracing and structured physiotherapy, while severe instability or multiple-ligament injuries may require surgery.

Dr. Atul Mishra evaluates knee stability, imaging, associated injuries, and the patient’s activity requirements before recommending treatment.