Which ligament is commonly stressed in a posterior knee dislocation?

Prepare for the Medbridge Orthopedic Clinical Specialist Test. Test your knowledge with multiple choice questions, each featuring hints and explanations. Ace your exam with ease!

Multiple Choice

Which ligament is commonly stressed in a posterior knee dislocation?

Explanation:
In a posterior knee dislocation, the tibia is driven backward relative to the femur. The primary restraint to that backward movement is the posterior cruciate ligament, which checks posterior translation of the tibia. When the tibia moves posteriorly, the PCL bears the force and is commonly stressed or torn. The collateral ligaments mainly resist sideways (varus/valgus) stresses, and the ACL resists anterior tibial movement, so they aren’t the structures most stressed in a posterior dislocation. This is why the posterior cruciate ligament is the best answer.

In a posterior knee dislocation, the tibia is driven backward relative to the femur. The primary restraint to that backward movement is the posterior cruciate ligament, which checks posterior translation of the tibia. When the tibia moves posteriorly, the PCL bears the force and is commonly stressed or torn. The collateral ligaments mainly resist sideways (varus/valgus) stresses, and the ACL resists anterior tibial movement, so they aren’t the structures most stressed in a posterior dislocation. This is why the posterior cruciate ligament is the best answer.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy