Fact-sheet: Posterior cruciate ligament injury
Updated on 08/23/2017 at 6:40 AM
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Definition
Rupture of the posterior cruciate ligament fibers: main stabilizer against posterior drawer, wide array of horizontal fibers.
2 adjacent bundles:
- anterolateral (2/3)
- posteromedial (1/3)
Clinical features
Trauma: anterior tibial impact in flexion +++ (dashboard injury, fall onto flexed knee with plantar-flexed foot) or hyperextension or forced varus/valgus rotation.
Posterior drawer.
Radiography
AP and lateral views:
- Bony avulsion of the retrospinal insertion +++
Dynamic views: laxity testing.
MRI
Complete tear: On T1--> focal hyperintensity, architectural disruption. On T2 --> fluid hyperintensity, focal interruption. Partial tear: On T1 --> focal hyperintensity, partial disruption, preservation of one contour (or both) On T2 --> hyperintensity without complete focal interruption. Assessment of associated lesions ++
Management
Medical or surgical treatment depending on:
- patient factors
- severity of the lesion
- chronicity of the lesion
- presence of associated lesions indicating posterior laxity.