Posterior cruciate ligament

The posterior cruciate is one of the two cruciate ligaments which are important in stabilising the knee.

posterior cruciate ligament
The posterior cruciate ligament (red arrow) prevents the femur sliding too far forward in relation to the tibia. The anterior cruciate ligament (not shown) has an opposite function.

 

The torn posterior cruciate ligament

Injuries to the posterior cruciate ligament are less frequent than those of the anterior cruciate, because it requires a greater force to tear the ligament or pull it from the bone.

Symptoms of a tear include pain at the time of injury, which is not always severe, swelling of the knee which again is sometimes tense but not always so, and instability with a limp and feelings of 'giving way'.

Synonyms: 
PCL
-

Related Content

Cruciate Ligaments

An overview of the many issues facing a patient with a cruciate ligament tear.

Cruciate ligament tears

What makes you think you might have torn your cruciate?

The cruciate ligaments

Illustrated overview of the position and function of the cruciate ligaments.

Cruciate Ligament Library

Library of excerpts from the medical literature about Cruciate Ligaments, with links to PubMed

The bones of the knee

Brief introduction to the bony anatomy of the knee, with clear illustrations.

Knee dislocation and tibial plateau fracture - a case presentation

Case presentation by Adrian Wilson, FRCS

What is complex or multiligament instability?

Multiple damaged ligaments require expert evaluation.

Pages

-

FORUM DISCUSSIONS

Complete PCL Tear.

Complete PCL Tear.

Pcl Tear.

CLINICAL PUBLICATIONS

Anatomical study of the posterior cruciate ligament with the knee flexed at 90°. Cho DK, Rosa SP, Prestes GB, da Cunha LAM, de Moura MFA and Filho ES. Rev Bras Ortop. 2014 Sep-Oct; 49(5): 494–498.

Posterior Cruciate Ligament: Current Concepts Review. Pache S, Aman ZS, Kennedy M, Nakama GY, Moatshe G, Ziegler C and LaPrade RF. Arch Bone Jt Surg. 2018 Jan; 6(1): 8–18.

See also -