Anyone experiencing problems with the ligaments knows how painful it can be. What some people do not know is how damaging ligament injuries can be if they go untreated. Proper chiropractic care can be essential for ligament injuries, especially for ligament injuries in the knee area. If not cared for correctly, ligament injuries can be much worse and more prone to injury in the future. The most common type of ligament problem affects the anterior cruciate ligament (the ACL), but there is also a chance that the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) can be injured. Here is some vital information about the posterior cruciate ligament and how to seek treatment in the event of an injury. If you have suffered a posterior cruciate ligament injury, you can undergo chiropractic treatment with Temecula, CA chiropractor Nathen Horst.

Where Is the Posterior Cruciate Ligament?

The PCL is at the back of the knee. It is used to both flex and extend the knee, and it is comprised of essentially two separate bundles of ligaments. This ligament is generally stronger than the corresponding ACL, and its main purpose is to connect the shinbone to the femur. It is an essential ligament, and injury can debilitate a person, making it difficult to run and even walk.

Injuries to this ligament are uncommon, but can be devastating. The posterior cruciate ligament is most often injured while playing a sport, usually while falling with the knee bent and pointed toes. The PCL can also be hyperextended, and if the tibia is struck while the knee is bent, there might be enough force to strain or tear the ligament.

The best way to identify an injury to the PCL is to talk to a chiropractor. If a person is experiencing swelling and pain around the posterior cruciate ligament, especially if there is so much swelling that the knee is completely stiff, it is difficult to walk, and the knee feels like it is not stable enough to hold a person’s weight, these are all indicators of damage to the PCL.

How Can Chiropractic Care Improve a Posterior Cruciate Ligament Injury?

The best way to handle any kind of knee injury is to address it early and aggressively, especially if the person is an athlete. Chiropractic care from a professional doctor can be especially helpful when there is an injury to the posterior cruciate ligament, as it involves both soft tissue work and trigger point therapy. A chiropractor can also help a person develop an exercise regimen to retrain the ligament and strengthen the surrounding muscles. Minimizing scar tissue and building up strength are the main goals of chiropractic care for a PCL injury.

Any individual who is experiencing either ACL or PCL pain should contact a chiropractor immediately. A chiropractor can help treat this injury so that long-term injury is avoided and pain is minimized greatly.

For more information about chiropractic care for posterior cruciate ligament, or to make an appointment, please contact us at Horst Chiropractic today. Any of our staff can help answer your basic questions and will be able to make an appointment or schedule a consultation.