What is a double PCL?
The ‘double PCL’ sign refers to the anterosuperior displacement of a bucket-handle medial meniscal tear.1 The torn fragment occupies an anteroinferior position relative to the PCL, producing an apparent second, smaller PCL (figure 1, figure 2).2 The double PCL sign has been shown to have a high specificity for meniscal …
What is buckling of PCL?
PCL buckling can be observed in cases of acute or chronic ACL tears. Some studies associated sigmoid or curved appearance of the PCL more with chronic than acute ACL tears4).
What is the ligament of wrisberg?
The Ligament of Wrisberg is the more common of the meniscofemoral ligaments1, and courses posterior to the PCL (2a) as it descends to the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus. Less commonly, a Ligament of Humphrey is present, in which case the ligament runs anterior to the PCL.
What is a positive pivot shift test?
The movement is a combination of axial load and valgus force, applied by the examiner, during a knee flexion from an extended position. When the test is positive, it indicates an injury of the anterior cruciate ligament.
What is a discoid meniscus?
A discoid meniscus is thicker than normal, and often oval or disc-shaped. It is more prone to injury than a normally shaped meniscus. People with discoid meniscus may go through their entire lives and never experience any problems.
How long does a Grade 2 PCL tear take to heal?
Grade I and II PCL tears usually recover rapidly and most patients are satisfied with the outcome. Athletes are normally ready for return to play within 2-4 weeks. Management includes: Immobilise the knee in a range of motion brace locked in extension for 2-3 weeks.
How do you check for a torn PCL?
In the “posterior drawer test,” the doctor pushes the shin back while the knee is bent 90 degrees. If the tibia gives more than 5 millimeters, the PCL is likely torn. Your doctor may also perform other tests to help determine whether the ligament is fully torn, partially torn or simply sprained.
Is a PCL tear serious?
An injury to the PCL can cause mild to severe damage.
What should you avoid with a PCL injury?
Hyperextension of the knee and posterior tibial translation should be avoided during this initial phase. Immediately after injury, it is common to have swelling, generalized knee pain, and loss of motion.
What does the posterior Meniscofemoral ligament do?
» The meniscofemoral ligaments (MFLs), consisting of the anterior MFL (ligament of Humphrey) and the posterior MFL (ligament of Wrisberg), as well as the osseous attachment of the meniscal root, stabilize the lateral meniscus, enabling appropriate load transmission and maintenance of contact forces within the lateral …
When do you get a double PCL MRI?
The double PCL sign appears on sagittal MRI images of the knee when a bucket-handle meniscal tear (medial meniscus in 80% of cases) flips towards the center of the joint so that it comes to lie anteroinferior to the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) mimicking a second smaller PCL.
What is the meaning of the double PCL sign?
“The double PCL sign is associated with bucket-handle tears of the medial meniscus that occur in the presence of an intact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). A bucket-handle tear is a longitudinal tear of a meniscus that results in a displaced but attached meniscal fragment.
Can a meniscus tear cause a double PCL?
In a minority of patients, a lateral meniscus bucket handle tear, in the presence of torn ACL, may also give rise to a double PCL sign. Identifying a double PCL sign is highly specific (98-100%) but of variable sensitivity (27-53%) for the detection of displaced bucket handle tears 1. Associated signs include: flipped meniscus sign.
Where does the posterior cruciate ligament ( PCL ) attach?
The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is one of the two cruciate ligaments that stabilize the knee joint . The PCL attaches to the posterior intercondylar area and passes anterosuperiorly to insert into the lateral surface of the medial femoral condyle. When the knee is in extension, it makes an almost 90º turn as it passes anterosuperiorly.