The musculoskeletal system of our body is critical as it creates a structure of our body. This system includes bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. It won’t be wrong to say that the musculoskeletal system of our body is nothing but a network that provides support and structure. Now, this is also a fact that the system is also prone to injuries because of the activity level it has.
Injuries occurring to the musculoskeletal system are also known as orthopedic injuries, and sometimes, they are hard to fix. Surgical intervention is often required to treat serious orthopedic issues, and if bones are involved, Orthopaedic Implants will also be used.
In this post, we will talk about one such condition known as posterior cruciate ligament injury. Though this is not a common injury yet, it could cause serious complications. Let us see what this condition is in detail.
Posterior Cruciate Ligament Injury – An Overview
The posterior cruciate ligament joins the upper leg to the lower leg as it is a stronger ligament when compared to an anterior cruciate ligament. Despite being stronger, the posterior cruciate ligament gets injured, but not commonly. The injury to this ligament could either be a total tear or rupture.
There are two cruciate ligaments of the knee, and one of them is the posterior cruciate and another is the anterior cruciate. An injury could occur to any of these but the ACL is more prone to getting injured.
Causes of Posterior Cruciate Ligament Injury
Direct impact to the shinbone just below the knee is a common cause of posterior cruciate ligament injury. Besides this, if a person falls on a bent knee, then also he/she can get his/her PCL injured. Few of the incidents that could cause such issues include:
Automobile Accidents
Car crashes or bike accidents are the common causes of different types of injuries, and orthopedic issues always get accompanied by them. Thus, one of the reasons for PCL injuries is automobile accidents, and they could occur in anyone.
Contact Sports
Athletes are always prone to several injuries that may be related to orthopedics or other areas. Sportspeople engaged in contact sports get affected the most, and if they collide or fall while playing. In such a scenario, they can get their PCL injured.
Symptoms Associated with PCL Injuries
Some of the common symptoms noticed in people suffering from PCL injuries include:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Unstable knee
Diagnosis of PCL Injuries
Physical examination is always the first step during the diagnosis of PCL injuries. Here, the doctor firmly presses the knee to feel the injury and notice other symptoms. Besides this, the healthcare service provider might also ask the patient to move his/her knee/leg in different directions to notice restricted and painful movements.
Imaging tests are also important to confirm the condition, and they include:
- X-ray
- MRI
- Arthroscopy
Treatment of PCL Injuries
Diagnosis will decide what type of treatment will be feasible and effective. Different types of treatment methods are there, and they are chosen based on the severity of the disease. Let us see available treatment methods for PCL injuries:
Medicines
No matter whether the treatment provided is surgical or non-surgical, medicines always play a vital role in relieving pain and inflammation. Mild PCL injuries can be treated only with medication.
Physical Therapy
Physiotherapy is also a good way to improve the strength of muscles, bones, ligaments after an injury. Similar is the case with PCL injuries. It always helps in improving the functionality and stability of the knee after a posterior cruciate ligament injury.
Surgical Intervention
Surgery is always considered as a last option except in severe cases. Surgery is performed to reconstruct the torn ligaments and repair the knee if it’s broken. Depending upon the condition, surgery could be an open one or arthroscopic. During surgery, different types of orthopedic implants instruments may be used.
Siora Surgicals Pvt. Ltd. is an experienced and renowned orthopedic device manufacturer in India with over 30 years of experience and hundreds of global clients. The products manufactured by the company are also exported to different countries. Siora is also proud to be called a reliable Ortho Surgical Company in Malaysia for supplying its quality products.
