When is a PCL injury an emergency, and how soon should I see a surgeon?

Go to emergency care now if

• The foot is cold, pale, blue or numb compared with the other side
• You cannot move your ankle or toes, or the foot drops when you lift the leg
• The calf is very swollen, tense or increasingly painful
• The knee looks deformed or felt like it came out of joint
• There is an open wound over the knee
• You were in a high-speed road accident or a fall from height, even if the knee pain seems mild

Why these signs matter

The PCL is very strong, so tearing it often takes significant force. In some injuries the knee dislocates and then slips back into place before anyone sees it. The main artery to the lower leg runs directly behind the knee and can be injured, and the peroneal nerve on the outer side can be stretched. These injuries can threaten the leg if not recognised early, which is why emergency teams check pulses and sometimes arrange a vascular scan.

When to book a knee specialist

If emergency care has excluded these problems, or the injury was lower-energy, book a knee assessment within one to two weeks. Early diagnosis matters because combined injuries, especially to the outer corner of the knee, often do better when treated in the first few weeks. An isolated PCL tear also benefits from starting the right brace and rehabilitation early.

What to bring to Aman Hospital

Bring emergency reports, X-rays and any scans, a list of other injuries from the accident and your medications. Dr. Gelber examines all the knee ligaments, the nerves and the circulation, and arranges MRI if it has not been done.