Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury

Alternative names:

cruciate ligament injury - posterior; injury - knee - PCL; injury - PCL; injury - posterior cruciate ligament; knee injury - posterior cruciate ligament; PCL injury

Definition:

An injury to the knee described as a partial or complete tear, dislocation, or stretch of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) from the bone attachment that form the knee, or anywhere else along the length of the ligament.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is a powerful ligament extending from the top-rear surface of the tibia to the bottom-front surface of the femur. The ligament prevents the knee joint from posterior instability, that is, instability in the back of the joint.

The PCL is usually injured by hyperextension (overextending the knee), or a direct blow to the flexed knee (the position of the knee when you bend the leg).