We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Anatomy

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is the Posterior Cruciate Ligament?

By Ken Black
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 6,455
Share

Located at the back of the knee, the posterior cruciate ligament helps connect a bone in the lower portion of the leg with a bone in the upper portion. It helps accomplish this task along with the anterior cruciate ligament, and two lateral ligaments. An injury to the posterior cruciate ligament can often be very difficult to deal with, simply because of its importance in helping with mobility.

The two main bones that the posterior cruciate ligament helps connect are the tibia, the larger bone in the lower leg, and the femur, or thigh bone, located in the upper leg. Its main purpose is to make sure the tibia does not move back too far. If this does occur, it is known as a hyperextension, which can be a minor or major injury, depending on the degree of the hyperextension.

In most cases, the anterior cruciate ligament is often the one that receives the most damage, and is usually more of a concern with injuries. This is because the posterior cruciate ligament is the thicker of the two. Therefore, if one of the two ligaments gets strained to the tearing or breaking point, it is usually not the posterior ligament.

Like all ligaments, the posterior ligament is more pliable than bone, and is able to bend and stretch somewhat. There is a limit, however, to how far it can stretch. If there is a tear, the knee becomes very unstable, and the injured person is often in a substantial amount of pain. Therefore, those who tear the ligament usually know there is a serious problem immediately. It may take an MRI for a doctor to be certain of what the particular problem is.

When this injury takes place, repair may be done in surgery through posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, or through less invasive procedures. Immobilization, such as a splint, and physical therapy are often recommended after the initial injury. If those do not work, surgery may be the only other option. Recovery from a posterior cruciate ligament tear can take as long as one year, especially if surgery is required.

For those who have posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, the process is often more difficult than going in and sewing the ligament back together. In most cases, a graft from another ligament elsewhere in the body, or from someone else, will be needed in order to adequately repair the injury. Still, while this may require a few extra steps, a successful recovery is much more likely with this method than with others.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-the-posterior-cruciate-ligament.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.