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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staff- X-ray. While an X-ray can't detect ligament damage, it can reveal bone fractures. People with posterior cruciate ligament injuries sometimes experience avulsion fractures — where a small chunk of bone, attached to the ligament, pulls away from the main bone.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This painless procedure uses magnetic fields to create computer images of the soft tissues of your body. An MRI scan can clearly show a posterior cruciate ligament tear and determine if other knee ligaments or cartilage also are injured.
- Arthroscopy. If it's unclear how extensive your knee injury is, your doctor may use a surgical technique called arthroscopy to look inside your knee joint. A small, lighted optic tube is inserted into your knee joint through a small incision. The doctor views images of the inside of the joint on a computer monitor or TV screen.
References
- Curtis C, et al. Posterior cruciate ligament sprain. In: Frontera WR, et al. Essentials of physical medicine and rehabilitation. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/116066654-3/790081040/1678/70.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4007-1..50069-9_1107. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
- Browner BD, et al. Posterior cruciate ligament injury. In: Browner BD, et al. Skeletal Trauma: Basic Science, Management and Reconstruction. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2003. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/116066654-3/790081040/1217/502.html#4-u1.0-B0-7216-9175-7..50060-3--cesec26_2762. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
- Griffin RL, et al. Posterior cruciate ligament injuries in the adult: Mechanism of injury. In: DeLee JC, et al. DeLee and Drez's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2003.
