What is a PCL Injury?

Located inside the knee joint towards the back (posterior) of the knee, the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is responsible for keeping the tibia (shinbone) in alignment with the femur (thighbone). PCL injuries occur when the tibia moves too far backward in relation to the femur, commonly seen during a motor vehicle accident or sports activities. Athletes can sustain damage to the PCL when falling on a bent knee or sliding into an object with great force. Some PCL tears may be treated with non-surgical measures, while other more severe tears may require PCL surgery.

Dr. Khaleel, Senior Consultant Arthroscopic Knee and Sports Surgeon at Kims Alshifa, Perintalmanna, Kerala, India, specializes in PCL reconstruction designed to return patients to their pre-injury activity level following a PCL ligament injury.

The PCL can become torn in isolation or in conjunction with the other major ligaments in the knee. Dr. Khaleel will perform a thorough physical examination and medical review before determining if PCL reconstruction is necessary to treat the tear. He will also perform an MRI scan to determine injury severity, location, and assess for any concomitant injuries.

What is PCL Surgery?

If PCL surgery is necessary to return full function and stability to the knee joint, Dr. Khaleel will reconstruct the torn ligament with a graft using an arthroscopic approach. Strong sutures will be used to tightly secure the ligament to a similar native PCL footprint (size, shape, location).