PCL Injury: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Sumiran Racherla, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats PCL Injury?
An orthopaedic surgeon, a doctor who treats bone, joint, and ligament problems, usually treats a PCL injury. A physical therapist, an expert who helps you rebuild strength and motion, is also a big part of care. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is a PCL injury?
The posterior cruciate ligament, or PCL, is inside the knee, just behind the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). A ligament is a strong band that connects one bone to another. The PCL connects the thighbone to the shinbone and keeps the shinbone from moving backward too far.
A PCL injury is a sprain or tear of this ligament. These injuries are not as common as other knee ligament injuries. They are often subtle and harder to check than other ligament injuries. Many PCL tears are partial tears that can heal on their own.
Symptoms
The typical signs of a PCL injury are:
- Pain with swelling that starts steadily and quickly after the injury.
- A stiff knee from the swelling, which may cause a limp.
- Trouble walking.
- A knee that feels unstable, as if it may "give out".
A PCL injury often happens along with injuries to other parts of the knee, such as cartilage, other ligaments, and bone.
Causes and who gets it
A PCL injury usually takes a powerful force. A common cause is a direct blow to the front of the knee. Examples are a bent knee hitting the dashboard in a car crash, or a football player falling on a bent knee.
The ligament can also be hurt by a severe twisting injury, a hyperextension injury (bending the knee backward too far), or a contact injury during sport.
How doctors diagnose it
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. Next, the doctor checks the injured knee and compares it with the healthy knee. An injured knee may seem to sag backward when it is bent. It may also slide backward too far when bent past a 90-degree angle.
Imaging tests can help confirm the diagnosis. X-rays will not show an injury to the PCL itself. They can show if the ligament pulled off a piece of bone. This is called an avulsion fracture. An MRI scan makes better pictures of soft tissue like the PCL. Images can look normal if the injury happened more than 3 months before the tests.
Treatment
If only the PCL is injured, it may heal quite well without surgery. Nonsurgical care can include the RICE method, which means rest, ice, gentle compression, and elevation. Your doctor may also suggest a special brace to keep the shinbone from sagging backward, and crutches to keep weight off the leg.
As swelling goes down, physical therapy begins. Exercises restore knee function and strengthen the leg muscles that support it. Strengthening the front thigh muscles is a key factor in a good recovery.
Surgery may be advised for combined injuries. For example, if the knee was dislocated and several ligaments were torn, surgery is almost always needed. Surgery may also help a person with a PCL tear alone if the knee stays unstable or painful despite other treatment. A torn PCL is usually rebuilt with a tissue graft, most often taken from another part of your body or from a donor.
Physical therapy after surgery begins 1 to 4 weeks later. Full recovery typically takes 6 to 12 months. Most patients do well over time, but combined injuries often recover slowly.
When to see a doctor
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if the knee injury came from a car crash or another sudden, serious accident, or if you have sudden, severe pain. A knee that was dislocated, even if it slipped back into place, can injure the blood vessels and nerves. This can put the leg at risk, so it needs emergency care.
See a doctor if you have knee pain, swelling, trouble walking, or a knee that feels unstable after an injury. Anyone who may have hurt more than one ligament needs a thorough exam by an experienced doctor. Combined injuries can disrupt blood supply to the leg and can affect the nerves that supply its muscles.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either can look at a new knee injury, arrange imaging and referrals, and help you line up an orthopaedic surgeon and a physical therapist. They can also follow your progress during recovery.
Common questions
Can a PCL tear heal without surgery?
Yes, many PCL tears can heal without surgery. Many are partial tears that can heal on their own. People who injured only the PCL may be able to return to sports without knee stability problems.
How long does it take to recover from a PCL injury?
Full recovery after surgery typically takes 6 to 12 months. The time depends on how severe the injury is.
What causes a PCL injury?
A PCL injury usually comes from a powerful force, such as a bent knee hitting a dashboard in a car crash. A simple misstep rarely causes one.
Sources
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons - OrthoInfo - Posterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons - OrthoInfo - Combined Knee Ligament Injuries
- National Library of Medicine - StatPearls - Knee Dislocation
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
