Can you strain your PCL?

Although it is larger and stronger than the ACL, the PCL can be torn. PCL tears make up less than 20% of injuries to knee ligaments. Injuries that tear the PCL often damage some of the other ligaments or cartilage in the knee, as well. In some cases, the ligament can also break loose a piece of underlying bone.

How do you treat a sprained PCL?

Treatment

  1. RICE. When you are first injured, the RICE method – rest, ice, gentle compression and elevation — can help speed your recovery.
  2. Immobilization. Your doctor may recommend a brace to prevent your knee from moving.
  3. Physical therapy. As the swelling goes down, a careful rehabilitation program is started.

How do you know if you tore your PCL?

Signs and symptoms of a PCL injury can include:

  1. Pain. Mild to moderate pain in the knee can cause a slight limp or difficulty walking.
  2. Swelling. Knee swelling occurs rapidly, within hours of the injury.
  3. Instability. Your knee might feel loose, as if it’s going to give way.

Can you walk on torn PCL?

If you only injure your PCL, you may not have any, or only a few symptoms at first, and may not even notice that you’ve damaged it. You’ll probably still be able to walk normally afterwards. But you may get some pain behind your knee, especially when you kneel, and there might be some mild swelling.

Where does a torn PCL hurt?

People who have injured the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) of the knee often report a combination of the following symptoms: Sharp or dull pain around the back of the knee. This can occur immediately or develop in the hours or days after the injury.

Can a PCL injury heal on its own?

PCL injuries are usually partial ligament tears, and typically heal on their own, without causing stability issues, so long as the knee is protected during healing, and there are no other knee joint injuries. However, PCL injuries can lead to osteoarthritis of the knee.

Can you bend your knee with a torn PCL?

Swelling typically occurs within 2 to 3 hours of the injury. Stiffness. Swelling may cause the knee to become stiff. A person may have trouble bending the knee, resulting in a limp or difficulty going up or down stairs.

Can a torn PCL heal on its own?

How long do PCL injuries take to heal?

The duration for a PCL injury also depends on the severity of the sprain, but typically full recovery is achieved between 4 to 12 months.

Which is worse ACL or PCL tear?

The pain from an ACL tear usually will be more severe than that of a PCL tear. There also may be significant (or total) loss of range of motion of the knee. Swelling from an ACL tear tends to develop slowly, over the course of 24 hours.

How do you tell if PCL is torn or sprained?

People who have injured the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) of the knee often report a combination of the following symptoms:

  1. Sharp or dull pain around the back of the knee.
  2. Swelling.
  3. Stiffness.
  4. Difficulty bearing weight.
  5. Knee instability.
  6. The back of the knee may be warm to the touch.

How long does it take for a PCL tear to heal?

How do you diagnose a PCL injury?

To diagnose a PCL injury , your doctor will perform a variety of tests, including: moving the knee in various directions. physical examination of the knee. checking for fluid in the knee joint. an MRI of the knee. an X-ray of the knee joint to check for fractures.

Do you need surgery for a PCL injury?

Surgery. Most people don’t need surgery to fix a torn PCL. But you might if other ligaments in your knee have also been injured. Your doctor can let you know if surgery would be right for you. The people who choose it are more likely to be athletes, younger people, and those who are very active on their feet.

What do sports cause PCL injuries?

The main cause of PCL injuries is a high-force impact to the knee – often from a car accident or contact sports such as: Football Soccer Hockey

What is a PCL tear?

A PCL tear is a relatively common sporting injury affecting the knee and is characterized by tearing of the Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL), an important stabilizing structure of the knee. A ligament is a strong band of connective tissue which attaches bone to bone.