Located at the back of the knee joint, the PCL is one of the four primary ligaments that hold the knee joint together and provide stability and flexibility.  Also stronger than the ACL, the PCL prevents the tibia from moving too far back and does not sustain injury frequent because it requires more force to tear it.

A common cause of a PCL tear is when a bent knee hits the dashboard of a car or truck, forcing the shin backward and damaging the PCL and other ligaments.  This can also be known as a “dashboard injury.”

The three grades of PCL tears are:

• Grade 1 – the knee still maintains stability but the ligament is partially stretched and damaged.
• Grade 2 – the knee is partially unstable and the ligament is stretched or partially or completely torn.
• Grade 3 – the knee is unstable and the ligament is completely torn into two pieces with additional ligament injuries present.

PCL Treatment

If the PCL is torn completely, arthroscopic surgery is recommended to rebuild the ligament.  Surgeons will use soft tissue graft from another body part to replace the ligament and recovery time can take several months to heal.

If non-surgical treatment is recommended, then the patient will be instructed to “R.I.C.E.” the injury (rest, ice, compression and elevate), use a brace to immobilize the knee and undergo physical therapy to strengthen the leg and restore knee function.

You may be out of work for several weeks, or even months, if your PCL injury required surgery.  If you are suffering due to another person’s negligent behavior, it is important to seek legal representation immediately to protect yourself.  You may be able to file a lawsuit to claim compensation to pay those costly medical bills and recover lost wages.

Contact Tarshish Cody today at 612-808-8999 (or fill out the free Case Evaluation Form) to speak to one of our personal injury attorneys who specialize in knee injuries and can discuss your case and your legal needs.

Attorneys Practicing In This Area

Benjamin Tarshish

Kyle Kosieracki