Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL)-Retaining or Substituting

The Posterior Cruciate Ligament is one of the major ligaments in the knee. It provides support and stable movement of the knee. In total knee replacement surgery, the PCL can be kept or removed and this choice depends on the condition of the PCL, the type of knee implant or the type of surgery the surgeon likes to do. Each of these designs has advantages and disadvantages. Surgeon preference depends on his or her training and the clinical situation.

PCL-Retaining - In PCL-Retaining designs, rearward movement of the tibia is resisted by an intact PCL, which creates stability.

PCL-Substituting - PCL-Substituting knees (also called posterior stabilized knees) have a raised sloping surface or a polyethylene post that compensates for the missing PCL to give your knee more stability.