The Kennedy Centers leads the way in less invasive surgeries

What is a Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL)?

The posterior cruciate ligament is located at the back of your knee. Together with the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) they form a cross with the ACL in front and the PCL behind. The cruciate ligaments control the forward and backward motion of your femur/thigh bone on the tibia/shin bone with the PCL keeping your shin from moving too far backward.

Causes of PCL Injuries

A PCL tear is often called a “dashboard injury” because it commonly occurs during an auto accident when the shin strikes the dashboard. The PCL can also be injured when an athlete falls forcibly on a bent knee.

Arthroscopic PCL Reconstruction

When there is only a partial tear to the PCL, surgery is not normally recommended since healing can occur with rest and rehabilitation. However, when the PCL has been completely torn in two or when it’s injured in conjunction with an ACL injury or other ligament injury, your surgeon may recommend PCL reconstruction.

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedics, “Because sewing the ligament ends back together does not usually heal, a torn posterior cruciate ligament must be rebuilt.” The surgeons at the Kennedy Center will reconstruct the PCL using a tissue graft from another part of your body, or they may use a graft from a human donor—a cadaver.