PCL LIGAMENT INJURY AND RETURN TO SPORTS

Frequently Asked Questions: PCL Ligament Injury

1. Who will have risks of PCL Injury?

Athletes, recreations sports players, especially in contact or stop-start sports and high activity individuals will have high risks of PCL Injury.

 

2. What are the Symptoms for PCL Injury?

1. Acute injury:

Pain, swelling in the knee, difficulty in knee

2. Chronic injury:

Instabilty in the knee- buckling/feeling of giving away; stiffness.

 

3. How to Prevent PCL Injury:

1. By Maintaining Adequate warm up.

2. Stretching to maintain good range of movement of joints before playing.

3. Maintaining correct posture and technique while playing.

 

4. How does PCL get Injured:

Direct blow to the knee/ twisting injury causing sudden over-straitening of the knee.

 

5. What are the Next Steps after PCL Injury?

Needs immediate attention. Consult an orthopedic surgeon for physical exam.

 

6. What Investigations are Needed after PCL Injury?

X-ray to rule out any associated fracture and mri scan to identify the degree of pcl tear- partial/complete and associated acl/meniscus/cartilage injury.

 

7. Why does PCL Injury Require Intervention?

Being inside the joint, the blood circulation to PCL is poor. So, PCL injury won’t heal well without any stimulant to healing.