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Partial posterior cruciate ligament tear in a collegiate basketball player: a case report
1Scott T. Doberstein is Assistant Professor of Physical Education and Head Athletic Trainer at Millikin University, Decatur, IL.
Objective:
To present a case of a collegiate basketball player treated conservatively for an incomplete tear of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL).
Background:
The PCL is the strongest ligament of the knee, but PCL injuries are rare during athletic activity especially when compared with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries.
Differential Diagnosis:
ACL injury, confusion.
Treatment:
Treatment options include either conservative management or surgical intervention. Although controversy exists as to which method produces the best results, it appears that good functional outcomes can result from aggressive rehabilitation alone.
Uniqueness:
The athlete was reluctant to report the injury because she thought it was only a bruise. Once assessed with a PCL sprain, the athlete adamantly refused to see a physician for a definitive diagnosis. The infrequent occurrence and the apparent lack of knowledge regarding mechanism and clinical presentation of PCL injuries often result in misdiagnosis. Subsequently, patients with unrecognized involvement of the PCL may respond inadequately to rehabilitation measures.
Conclusions:
Based on the literature, it appears that athletes who suffer isolated PCL injuries can achieve good functional results when treated conservatively. A vital component to the success of managing PCL injuries is the athletic trainer's being well versed in the recognition of signs, symptoms, and mechanisms of injury, as well as being knowledgeable in evaluation techniques that lead to assessment of this infrequent injury.
