Posterior Cruciate Ligament Tibial Avulsion Fracture Following Low-Energy Trauma: A Case Report and Imaging Review

Abstract

PCL avulsion fracture is a specific form of PCL injury. This fracture directly causes instability of the knee joint backwards, which will lead to increased pressure on the articular cartilage and eventually degenerative changes in the joint. Mr. D, 38 years old, came to the emergency room with complaints of falling and slipping. The patient fell in a semi-sitting position with the right knee bent inwards. After falling, the patient was unable to stand up and felt pain in the back of the knee. On physical examination were found edema, tenderness, posterior tibial sag, and posterior drawer test (+), with limited range of motion extension of the dextra genu joint. On radiological examination of the AP lateral genu dextra and CT scan of the right knee, an avulsion fracture was found in the intercondyloid posterior aspect of the tibia dextra. On MRI of the genu dextra, there was an avulsion fracture in the intercondyloid posterior aspect of the tibia dextra with PCL retraction. Based on the history and examination, the patient was diagnosed with Avulsion Fracture with Posterior Cruciate Ligament Injury. CT Scan and MRI are efficient examinations that can help establish the diagnosis of PCL.

Keywords: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Medial Meniscus Injury, Joint Effusion, Posterior Cruciate Ligament Avulsion Fracture