Diagnosing Posterior Cruciat Ligament Injuries
The Physician and Sportsmedicine
Volume25, Number11 (November, 1997)
Eric A. Morgan,MD, Randall R. Worble,MD
Abstract
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Abstract written by:Kevin Nygard
Diagnosis of the Posterior cruciat Ligament (PCL) is most effectively made through history and physical evaluations as well as with the appropiate radiographic studies. One question that should be asked when trying to find out where the injury occured did you recieve a blow to the anterior aspect of the proximal tibia. Some of the physical things that you should observe are a mild hemarthrosis and abrasions or lacerations to the anterior proximal tibiaareimportant to note when suspecting a PCL injury. One of the hardest things to deal with is the ability of one with a PCL injury is there ability of virtually full range of motion.
Test that may be given to determine if it is a PCL injury are: Posterior drawer test, posterior sag, Lachman's, quadricepts active, and the reverst pivot shift.
Strength lost in this procedure is mainley in the Quadricepts and the Hamstrings. Gaining back original strength is a long hard process taking 4 to 6 weeks to get to about 90% original strength. This is on a grade1 or 2 PCL injury(less than 1cm of the posterior translation). When athletes reach 90% strength they are allowed to return to their sport. When someone has a grade 3 injury (greater than 1cm of posterior translation) the person should be treated with reconstruction. Prior to surgery they under go rehabilitation to regain full range of motion and quadriceps strength.