I was in a car accident while riding in a compact car. My knees hit the glove box and I tore the PCL of my left knee. My diagnosis is PCL insufficiency. What does this mean?

The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is one of the major ligaments inside the knee. It helps hold the knee joint steady during motion so that the thighbone and lower leg bone move and glide without shifting.

Ligaments are not very elastic. When they are torn or damaged, they don’t “spring” back. Instead, scar tissue fills in the torn area and weakness occurs. This loss of strength is called PCL insufficiency. The ligament is unable to do its job to move, hold, and protect the joint.