THE POSTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT ARTHROSCOPIC EVALUATION AND TREATMENT

The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is an anatomically and biomechanically complex structure. PCL injuries are reported to occur in 1-40% of acute knee injuries, with isolated PCL tears less common that PCL tears combined with other ligament injuries. Diagnosis of PCL injuries requires a high index of suspicion, careful physical examination, imaging studies, and systematic arthroscopic evaluation. Surgical reconstruction is recommended for acute PCL tears combined with other ligament or structural injuries, and when there is a negative tibial step off in an isolated PCL tear. Isolated acute PCL tears with a positive tibial step off or fiat tibial step off may be treated with rehabilitation and observation and reconstructed later if symptomatic. Arthroscopic techniques of PCL reconstruction are becoming more refined and reproducible and may increase the predictability of this surgery. Carefully documented pre- and postoperative evaluations are required to judge the effectiveness of PCL reconstructive procedures.