Related Experiment Videos
Posterior cruciate ligament injuries
Christina R Allen1, Lee D Kaplan, Derrick J Fluhme
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
Current Opinion in Rheumatology
|February 15, 2002
Summary
Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries are under-researched. While many PCL injuries heal well with nonoperative treatment, reconstruction may be needed for severe cases or combined injuries.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Sports Medicine
- Knee Biomechanics
Background:
- The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is a crucial knee stabilizer, yet injuries are relatively uncommon and under-researched.
- PCL injuries typically result from a direct blow to the anterior aspect of a flexed knee.
- Chronic PCL insufficiency can lead to degenerative arthritis in the patellofemoral and medial compartments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of posterior cruciate ligament injuries.
- To discuss diagnostic methods and clinical examination findings for PCL deficiency.
- To explore treatment controversies and indications for surgical intervention.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of posterior cruciate ligament injuries.
- Analysis of diagnostic clinical tests for PCL deficiency.
- Discussion of nonoperative and operative treatment strategies.
Main Results:
- Clinical signs of PCL deficiency include positive posterior drawer, quadriceps active, and Godfrey tests.
- Nonoperative management is often successful for isolated PCL injuries of any grade.
- Surgical reconstruction is indicated for symptomatic grade III PCL injuries unresponsive to physical therapy or in cases of multiple-ligament knee injury.
Conclusions:
- Despite its importance, PCL injuries lack extensive research.
- Diagnosis relies on specific clinical tests.
- Treatment decisions for PCL injuries involve careful consideration of injury grade, symptoms, and associated injuries, with a trend towards nonoperative management for isolated injuries but surgical intervention for severe or complex cases.