Posterior cruciate ligament tear

Case contributed by Adam Eid Ramsey, MD
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Falling on her knee while playing soccer.

Patient Data

Age: 16 years
Gender: Female

The mid-substance posterior cruciate ligament fibers are interrupted and poorly defined. There is also edema within the popliteal muscle.

Case Discussion

This is a classical case of posterior cruciate ligament tear. An injury to the posterior cruciate ligament is classified as:

  • Grade I: PCL partial tear.
  • Grade II: PCL partial tear and the ligament is looser than in grade I.
  • Grade III: PCL is completely torn and the knee becomes unstable. 
  • Grade IV: PCL is torn along another ligament in the knee.

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