Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Reconstruction

A posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tear is a tear of one of the four major ligaments of the knee. The PCL is a ropelike structure that helps maintain the normal relationship of the femur (thigh bone) and the tibia (leg bone), so that the tibia (leg bone) does not slide backwards relative to the femur (thigh bone). This ligament is the largest and strongest within the knee. When torn, this ligament may heal in a lengthened (stretched out) position or it may attach to other structures of the knee via scar tissue. Often, the PCL can be treated without surgery (if isolated), but if pain and instability persist or other ligaments are damaged, PCL reconstruction may be indicated.

Because the PCL is often torn in ways that cannot be repaired (sewn), reconstruction (making a completely new ligament) is often required with the use of a graft. There are some PCL injuries that can be repaired with success. Grafts can come from several places, such as a hamstring tendon, patellar tendon, or allograft (cadaver tendon). Dr. Chudik will speak with you and together you will decide which graft is best for you.

Dr. Chudik performs PCL reconstructions arthroscopically through several small incisions. With the use of a special camera, Dr. Chudik can look inside the knee joint and examine the PCL and replace the torn ligament with a new graft.