Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury
A sudden impact or awkward movement can injure the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), leaving your knee painful, swollen or unstable and affecting how confidently you move. You don't have to manage your symptoms alone. At Fortius Clinic, our experienced specialists will work with you to understand your condition, recommend the most appropriate treatment and support you throughout your recovery. Early assessment is important because PCL injuries often occur alongside damage to other ligaments, cartilage or the meniscus. Identifying these injuries early can help guide the most appropriate treatment and support the best possible recovery.
Specialist expertise
Our experienced knee consultants diagnose and treat the full range of ligament injuries using evidence-based care tailored to your needs.
Sports medicine experience
We regularly support everyone from recreational exercisers to elite athletes with knee injuries and rehabilitation.
Flexible access to care
Whether you're self-funding, using private medical insurance or have a referral, we'll help you access specialist care as quickly as possible.
What is a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury?
The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is one of the main ligaments that helps keep your knee stable. It sits deep within the knee joint and prevents the shin bone (tibia) from moving too far backwards beneath the thigh bone (femur). A PCL injury happens when this ligament is stretched or torn. This most commonly occurs when the knee is bent and the shin is forced backwards by a sudden impact. It can happen during contact sports, after a fall onto a bent knee, or in a road traffic accident when the shin strikes the dashboard. PCL injuries range from mild sprains to complete ligament tears. While some occur on their own, they are often associated with injuries to other ligaments or structures within the knee. Because of this, it's important to have persistent pain, swelling or instability assessed by a specialist.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms vary depending on the severity of the injury, but commonly include:
- Knee pain following an injury
- Swelling around the knee
- Difficulty walking or putting weight through the leg
- A feeling that the knee is unstable or may give way
- Reduced movement or stiffness
- Pain when walking downstairs, squatting or kneeling
- Bruising around the knee in some cases
How is it diagnosed?
Your consultant will begin by discussing how your injury happened, your symptoms and how they are affecting your daily life, work or sporting activities. They'll then examine your knee, checking its movement, stability and the function of the surrounding ligaments.
To confirm the diagnosis and assess the extent of the injury, we may recommend:
- A detailed medical history
- Physical examination and ligament stability tests
- Assessment of your knee movement and strength
- X-rays to identify any associated fractures
- MRI scanning to assess the PCL and identify injuries to other ligaments, cartilage or the meniscus
How is it treated?
Your treatment will depend on the severity of your injury, whether other structures in the knee have also been damaged, your symptoms and your activity goals.
Treatment may include:
- Pain relief to help manage discomfort
- Physiotherapy to restore strength, movement and stability
- A PCL brace where appropriate to support healing
- Activity modification while your knee recovers
- Surgery if the ligament is completely torn, if the knee remains unstable despite rehabilitation, or if there are multiple ligament injuries
Your consultant will explain your options clearly and recommend the treatment that's most appropriate for your individual circumstances.
Treatment routes for posterior cruciate ligament injuries
Many PCL injuries, particularly partial tears, can be treated successfully without surgery.
Treatment usually involves a structured physiotherapy programme focused on restoring movement, strengthening the muscles around the knee and improving stability. A specialist PCL brace may also be recommended to help protect the ligament while it heals. Most people gradually return to their usual activities as their symptoms improve.
Recovery goals for posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury
The initial focus is on:
Reducing pain and swelling Protecting the healing ligament Restoring gentle knee movement Beginning early muscle activation exercises
As your recovery progresses, rehabilitation focuses on:
Improving knee movement Rebuilding strength and stability Restoring balance and control Returning to normal daily activities
The final stage of rehabilitation aims to:
Build strength for work, exercise or sport Improve agility, coordination and confidence Support a safe return to higher levels of activity where appropriate Reduce the risk of further knee injuries
Working with professionals and teams
Our consultants support professional athletes, sports teams, active individuals and people whose work places repeated demands on their knees. Working closely with physiotherapists, strength and conditioning specialists and the wider multidisciplinary team, they develop personalised treatment plans that support a safe return to sport, work and everyday activities.
The same specialist expertise and collaborative approach are available to every patient, whatever your activity level or recovery goals.
Our Experts - Leaders in Knee Treatments
Dedicated to restoring your mobility through advanced surgical care, tailored rehabilitation programmes, and compassionate, evidence-based patient support.
How to pay
We offer flexible options depending on how you choose to access care at Fortius. Whichever option you choose, we’ll help make the process clear and straightforward from the start.
Private medical insurance
If your care is covered by private medical insurance, we’ll usually invoice your insurer directly. Please check your policy in advance and request an authorisation code if your insurer requires one. You’ll be responsible for paying any policy excess or costs that aren’t covered by your insurance.
Paying for yourself
You don’t need private medical insurance to access care at Fortius. If you’re paying for your own treatment, our team will explain the costs clearly and provide a personalised quote before you decide whether to go ahead.
Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury FAQs
Yes. Many partial PCL tears heal successfully with physiotherapy, activity modification and, in some cases, a PCL brace. Surgery is usually only recommended for more severe injuries or when the knee remains unstable.
Recovery depends on the severity of the injury and your treatment. Many people begin returning to everyday activities within a few months, although recovery after surgery or complex ligament injuries can take significantly longer.
In most cases, yes. An MRI scan provides detailed images of the ligament and helps identify any associated injuries to the cartilage, meniscus or other knee ligaments, allowing your consultant to recommend the most appropriate treatment.
Yes. Most people are able to return to sport following appropriate rehabilitation. Your consultant and physiotherapist will assess your strength, stability and knee function before advising when it is safe to return.
Find a clinic near you
Fortius Clinic Marylebone Wing
Our 79,000 sq ft, seven-story, private hospital on Wigmore Street has 39 en-suite inpatient rooms, consultation and treatment rooms, and a physiotherapy suite.
The hospital has a high-spec imaging suite fully equipped with an MRI, CT scanner and X-ray machine. There are three state-of-the-art operating theatres, two anaesthetic rooms and a recovery bay.
Fortius Clinic London has two Mako robots for hip and knee joint replacements.
- 66 Wigmore StreetW1U 2SB
- +442031952442
- Open 24 hours
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- CT guided injection
- MRI Scan
- CT Scan
Fortius Clinic Wimbledon
Our Wimbledon clinic houses a state-of-the-art imaging centre with a 3T MRI and X-ray scanners, Ultrasound, seven consulting rooms, two spacious waiting areas and well equipped treatment rooms all located on one level, ensuring easy accessibility for all patients.
Our partnership with Spire St Anthony’s Hospital allows us to provide orthopaedic surgery closer to our clinic. We treat a full range of conditions and perform joint replacement surgery using the latest Mako robotic assisted technology.
Take a tour of our clinic virtually through Google 360 views here.
We are open Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm, and Saturday mornings from 8.30am to 12.30pm.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground station is Wimbledon (District Line), which also has rail and tramlink services from central London and beyond.
There is no parking available at the clinic, but we have a number of parking facilities all within a 10-12 minute walk of the clinic: Centre Court Car Park, Broadway Car Park, and Hartfield Road Car Park. Please note that all of these facilities are paid car parks.
The building at 22 Worple Road has steps leading up to the front entrance. If you require assistance please inform us before your arrival by calling ahead on 020 3195 2442
- 22 Worple RoadSW19 4DD
- 0203 195 2442
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- MRI Scan
Fortius Clinic Marylebone
Our Marylebone Clinic is conveniently located in the historic area between Baker Street and Marylebone High Street, just off Manchester Square, home to the iconic Wallace Collection. We have seven consulting rooms, private waiting areas on each floor, well equipped treatment rooms and diagnostic imaging.
- 17 Fitzhardinge StreetW1U 2EU
- 020 3195 2442
- MRI Scan
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
Fortius Clinic City
Our City Clinic is conveniently located between Bank and Monument stations, within the historic and financial heart of London. At our modern, two-floor facility we have nine consulting rooms, spacious waiting areas, well equipped treatment rooms and an imaging centre.
Explore our City Clinic with our virtual tour.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground stations are Bank and Monument, exit 6 for King William Street.
Should you be travelling by car, the closest parking is a three minute drive away at NCP Car Park London Vintry Thames Exchange. If you are attending clinic on a weekday, please be aware that we are based in the congestion charge zone.
- 75 King William StreetEC4N 7BE
- 0203 195 2442
- Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm.
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- MRI Scan
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