PCL Surgery

The PCL (posterior cruciate ligament) is one of four ligaments in the knee. The PCL connects the back of the femur bone to the front of the tibia bone in our legs. The bones in the knee provide little stability, giving the PCL an important role in maintaing the stability needed.

The PCL is located behind the ACL and its main objective is to prevent the tibia from sliding back on the femur bone. It is also responsible for transmitting information regarding the knee back to the brain (a process called 'proprioception').

A PCL injury (a tear of stretch) is usually caused by trauma, when a strong force is pressuring the front of the tibia bone. This can be caused during sporting activities or even a car accident when the knee is banged hard against the dashboard. When the pressure is strong enough, the posterior cruciate ligamentSlightly stretchy connective tissues that connect bones in the body, forming a joint.  will tear. This is a less common injury to endure then an ACL tear.

PCL Injury Movie

Torn PCL Symptoms and Diagnosis

As opposed to an ACL tear, a PCL injury will hurt and swell up much less. It is much more common to feel that the knee is unstable as the patient may hear a lot of "clicks" coming from the knee.

It is possible to function without a proper posterior cruciate ligament, as long as the muscles around it are strong enough to hold the knee. If this is not the case, the patient will start feeling pain.

A PCL tear can be diagnosed by a MRI, physical tests performed by a doctor or physiotherapist and the third and most precise way: arthroscopic surgery in which a tiny camera will be inserted to the knee in order to assure there is in fact a tear of the ligament.

Torn PCL Treatments

In many cases, the torn PCL rehabilitates itself to a degree, which abolishes the need for surgery. In cases like these, the patient will undergo physiotherapy treatments to strengthen the knee and avoid risky situations. A situation like this requires a doctor to monitor the process in order to make sure that the injury is healing and the patient's knee has the stability needed.

If the PCL injury is not healing and the situation is only worsening with time, as the pain is becoming more severe and you are losing knee stability to the point where it is affecting your daily routine, then the doctor will recommend you undergo surgery. The surgery in these cases will be done in the arthroscopic method, where no incision will be required.

The surgeon will replace the torn ligament with an implant, usually from an "Organ Bank", called allograft. The allograft will be stabilized in place with screws or medical pins instead of the previous ligament and the surgeon might also repair the meniscusThe meniscus is a crescent-shaped cartilage tissue that protects and helps promote flexibility in the knee. (Source: Wisegeek). and cartridge, if needed.

After surgery, the knee is stabilized and the patient is hospitalized for a few days. Intensive physiotherapy will begin shortly after the surgery as it is crucial for the rehabilitation process.

Torn PCL Surgery Abroad

Once it has been decided you need surgery to repair the torn PCL, TicketMed will be happy to assist you in exploring your options and gathering information regarding orthopedic surgery abroad. TicketMed is affiliated with the top orthopedic surgery centers in the world, specializing in sports medicine and complex injuries. Contact us or ask for a quote for a quick diagnosis and solution.