Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Injury: Pathogenesis and Clinical Findings
Sport-related
Hyperextension Injury
Motor Vehicle Collision (MVC)
Fall on flexed knee Dashboard injury
PCL Injury
+ve Posterior draw test +ve Lachman or +/- Varus & Valgus Stress Test +/- McMurray
1
Multiligamentous injury
Notes: • The PCL is an important stabilizer in the knee and is the primary resistor of posterior translation of the tibia on the femur. • Isolated PCL injuries are uncommon and are often asymptomatic and acutely undiagnosed.
Legend: Pathophysiology Mechanism
Isolated PCL injury
+ve Posterior draw test -ye Lachman -ye Varus & Valgus Stress Test -ye McMurray
Chronic PCL deficiency and Knee Instability
1
1` Dynamic Stabilization with quadriceps tendon
1
Post-traumatic patellofemoral pain or arthritis
Sign/Symptom/Lab Finding
Authors: Luc Wittig Reviewers: Reza Ojaghi Usama Malik Dr. R. Buckley* * MD at time of publication
Classification of PCL Injuries Partial: Translation < 10 mm on posterior drawer test with the knee in neutral rotation. Some sort of end point is present. Complete isolated PCL: Posterior drawer test is positive with the knee in neutral rotation and is diminished with the knee in internal rotation. Combined PCL: The PCL is injured in conjunction with other structures, such as the ACL, posterolateral corner, and medial side.