Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury happens far less often than does injury to the knee’s the more vulnerable counterpart, the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The posterior cruciate ligament and ACL connect your thighbone (femur) to your shinbone (tibia). If either ligament is torn, it might cause pain, swelling, and a feeling of instability.
Ligaments are strong bands of tissue that attach one bone to another. The cruciate (KROO-she-ate) ligaments connect the thighbone (femur) to the shinbone (tibia). The anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments form an “X” in the center of the knee.
Although a posterior cruciate ligament injury generally causes less pain, disability, and knee instability than does an ACL tear, it can still sideline you for several weeks or months.
Signs of a PCL injury can include:
- Pain. Mild to moderate pain in the knee can cause a slight limp or difficulty walking.
- Swelling. Knee swelling occurs rapidly, within hours of the injury.
- Instability. Your knee might feel loose as if it’s going to give way.
Over time, the pain might worsen and your knee might feel more unstable. If other parts of your knee have also been injured, your signs and symptoms will likely be more severe.
