The PCL is one of the major knee ligaments; it connects the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone). The PCL prevents the tibia from sliding too far backward under the femur. Any force that pushes the tibia backward under the femur can cause a PCL injury. The PCL may be stretched, partially torn or completely torn. It can be injured in a car accident due to hitting the knee on the dashboard or falling onto a bent knee. When a PCL is injured you may experience sharp or dull pain deep inside the knee joint or the back of the knee, pain that increases with walking, going up or down stairs, kneeling, squatting and when wearing shoes with heels, knee swelling, knee stiffness and difficulty straightening out the knee.
The Physical Therapists at Apple Physical Therapy will design a personalized treatment plan specific to you and your injury that will include range of motion, stretching and strengthening exercises to improve mobility and strength in your knee, leg and core musculature to allow you to return to normal daily activity. We will incorporate gait training and balance activities to allow you to return to normal and safe walking and the use of stairs. We will include manual therapy techniques such as massage and stretching of the knee and surrounding muscles to restore normal motion of the knee and leg. When appropriate we will incorporate sport specific activity such as running, cutting, jumping and other activity specific to your sport. If necessary, your PT may elect to use modalities such as ice and electric stimulation to decrease swelling, pain and ready the body for exercise.
With convenient locations in both Cherry Hill NJ and Marlton NJ, Apple Physical Therapy proudly serves such areas as Cherry Hill, Marlton, Medford, Voorhees, Mount Laurel, Maple Shade, Berlin, Moorestown and all of South Jersey’s Camden and Burlington counties. If you are looking for a Physical Therapist in the Cherry Hill area, we welcome you to our practice. Meet our team and schedule your appointment with us today!