Some insight to Flex Jones injury

X-Ray Vision: Twisted tales of lesser known PCL injuries in sportsSaturday, October 17th 2009, 11:33 PM

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Even though the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) gets most of the attention in sports, injuries to the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) can also affect athletes. Dallas Cowboys running back Felix Jones and Indianapolis wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez have both been sidelined with PCL ligament injuries this season. Although less commonly injured than the ACL, the PCL can be strained or torn from direct blows to the shinbone ("tibia") or from a fall on a flexed knee. These injuries are more common in contact sports like football, but can also result from non-athletic injuries like during a car accident. The PCL normally stops the shinbone from being pushed back in relation to the thigh bone (femur), and together with the ACL, it plays an important role in stabilizing the knee.PCL tears can occur by themselves or, more commonly, along with an injury to other stabilizing structures of the knee. Athletes will usually complain of knee swelling and pain after a forceful blow or landing. Sometimes, however, PCL tears can occur after a noncontact, hyperextension injury with a sense of the knee "bending in the wrong direction."On physical exam, the knee will be swollen and can be tender to palpation in the back. The shinbone can be pushed back more than the normal with the knee flexed, and often appears to "sag" with a tear of the PCL. If other ligaments are injured, the knee may also be more unstable with side-to-side or rotational movement as well. Imaging studies help to confirm the diagnosis.Treatment must be individualized, and is dependent upon several factors including the severity of injury, patient expectations and activity level. Some isolated PCL injuries can be treated by strengthening the muscles around the knee - most importantly the quadriceps muscle - that can compensate for the function of the ligament. Even NFL players have recovered from these injuries through rehabilitation and returned to play. High grade tears or combined injuries, however, may sometimes require surgical reconstruction to stabilize the knee. Surgery does require a lengthy rehab programs.PCL injuries are potentially devastating injuries in high-level athletes. The good news is that they frequently get better with conservative management. Improvement and return to one's previous level of play require an accurate diagnosis and well thought out treatment plan.

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