Posterior Cruciate Ligament Tear

What is a Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Tear?

A posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tear is an injury to one of the main stabilising ligaments inside the knee. It can range from a mild sprain to a complete tear.

The PCL prevents the shin bone from moving backwards. When injured, the knee loses stability and control.

Patients often describe: 👉 “Deep pain at the back of my knee” 👉 “Knee feels unstable when walking” 👉 “Feels weak when going downstairs”

If you are looking for PCL tear physiotherapy in Singapore, ACE Physio Sports provides expert rehabilitation to restore knee stability and function.

Causes

A PCL tear usually occurs due to a strong force on a bent knee.

Common causes include:

• Sports injuries (football, rugby, hockey)
• Falling onto a bent knee
• Road traffic accidents (dashboard injury)
• Sudden impact pushing the shin backwards

This explains why many patients say: 👉 “Injured my knee during sports collision” 👉 “Pain started after hitting my knee in an accident”

Symptoms (What patients actually feel)

PCL injuries often present with both pain and instability:

• Deep pain inside or at the back of the knee
• Swelling after injury
• Difficulty walking or altered gait
• Knee feels unstable or “giving way”
• Weakness in the knee
• Reduced range of motion

Patients commonly say: 👉 “Knee giving way when walking” 👉 “Pain when going downhill or stairs” 👉 “Cannot trust my knee during movement”

What Should I Do?

• Stop activity immediately
• Follow RICE protocol: rest, ice, compression, elevation
• Avoid weight-bearing if painful
• Book a physiotherapy assessment early
• Get imaging (MRI) if advised

Early intervention improves recovery outcomes significantly.

What Shouldn’t I Do?

• Continue sports or activity through pain
• Ignore swelling or instability
• Apply heat in the first 48 hours
• Consume alcohol early after injury
• Delay physiotherapy

Ignoring symptoms can worsen injury and delay recovery.

Physiotherapy Treatment for PCL Tear

At ACE Physio Sports, treatment depends on injury severity and whether surgery is required.

1. Detailed Assessment

• Clinical stability tests (e.g. posterior drawer test)
• Movement and strength evaluation
• Identify associated injuries

2. Pain & Swelling Management

• Ice therapy and compression
• Electrotherapy (TENS, ultrasound)
• Gentle movement exercises

3. Mobility Restoration

• Range of motion exercises
• Reduce stiffness
• Gradual knee movement progression

4. Strengthening Programme

• Quadriceps strengthening (key focus)
• Hamstrings and glute strengthening
• Improve joint stability

5. Balance & Proprioception Training

• Improve knee control
• Reduce risk of re-injury

6. Functional Rehabilitation

• Walking retraining
• Stair climbing progression
• Return to daily activities

7. Pre-Surgery Rehab (if needed)

• Restore movement before surgery
• Strengthen muscles
• Improve recovery outcomes

8. Post-Surgery Rehab (if required)

• Structured phased rehabilitation
• Gradual loading and strengthening
• Return-to-sport progression

You can learn more about our rehabilitation approach at https://acephysiosport.com.

Recovery & Long-Term Effects

• Mild–moderate tears: 2–4 months
• Severe tears (with surgery): 6–9 months

With proper physiotherapy:

✔ Pain reduces ✔ Knee stability improves ✔ Strength and movement return ✔ Safe return to sport

Without treatment, risks include:

❌ Chronic instability ❌ Reduced function ❌ Early osteoarthritis

Why Choose ACE Physio Sports

✔ Expertise in knee ligament injuries ✔ Structured, phase-based rehabilitation ✔ Sports-focused recovery programmes ✔ Personalised treatment plans ✔ Conveniently located near East Coast Road, Singapore

If you are searching for PCL injury treatment in Singapore, ACE Physio Sports provides expert care for full recovery.

Book Appointment

Start your recovery and regain knee stability today.

👉 Book now: https://acephysiosport.com 📞 Call / WhatsApp: +65 81535374