Post Joint and Ligament Therapy
The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is located in the back of the knee. It is the strongest ligament in the knee joint. The PCL connects the bottom of the thighbone (femur) to the shinbone (tibia). The posterior cruciate ligament keeps the tibia from moving back too far. It keeps the knee joint stable. A PCL injury is sometimes referred to as an “overextended knee.”
Causes
An injury to the posterior cruciate ligament can happen in many ways. It typically requires a powerful force. The common causes that are seen are:
- A direct blow to the front of the knee (such as a bent knee hitting a dashboard in a car crash, or a fall onto a bent knee in sports)
- Pulling or stretching the ligament (such as in a twisting or hyperextension injury)
- Simple misstep
Symptoms
- Pain with swelling that occurs steadily and quickly after the injury
- Swelling that makes the knee stiff and it may cause a limp
- Difficulty in walking
- The knee feels unstable, like it may "give out"
Treatment
If you have injured just your posterior cruciate ligament, your injury may heal without surgery. Another step is RICE: Rest, ice, gentle compression and elevation - can help speed your recovery. Immobilization using stints and crutches to avoid mobility.
Medication and Surgical Treatment: There are chances that your doctor may recommend surgery if you have combined injuries.
Physical Therapy
At our Optimum Rehab offices in New York City our experienced Physical Therapists will help you to regain your health through the best possible treatment that matches your condition and lifestyle.
Rehabilitation
Irrespective of the treatment method chosen, rehabilitation plays a vital role in getting you back to your daily activities. A Physical Therapy program will help you regain knee strength and motion. If you had surgery, Physical Therapy will begin 1 to 4 weeks after your procedure. The duration of recovery from a posterior cruciate ligament injury will depend on the severity of the injury. At Optimum Rehab, we ensure faster healing process by the efficient and effective use of the most modern technologies and medical advancements in Physical Therapy treatments.