What is Posterior Cruciate Ligament?
The posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) is one of the main ligaments of the knee which connects the thigh bone and the leg bone. The PCL prevents the leg bone from displacing backward during various activities. The PCL ligament is shown in Figure 1, sitting behind the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL).

Figure 1:The PCL (white arrow) is sitting behind the ACL (black arrow)

Is PCL a Stronger ligament?
The PCL is a stronger ligament than the ACL because of its large size. The PCL’s attachment to the thigh and the leg bone is shown in figures 2 & 3 respectively

What happens if the PCL is torn?
Patients with neglected PCL injuries may present with limited activity such as having difficulty in climbing slopes due to lethargy and pain in the front and inner areas of the knee.

Do PCL Tears Need Surgical Correction? If So Why?
Mild (grade 1) and moderate (grade 2) tears of the PCL usually heal well and surgery is hardly necessary. But for severe (grade 3) tears and those along with other ligament injuries (Figure 4), surgery gives the best results. Without surgery a severe PCL injury can lead to early arthritis of the knee joint.