Posterolateral Corner (PLC) Knee Injury Treatment
The posterolateral corner, or PLC, is a group of knee components that support and stabilize the outside back of the knee. This includes tendons, ligaments, nerves, muscles and tissues that all can be injured when the knee is impacted by a direct blow and twisting motion, often in an accident or sports injury. Our orthopedic and sports injury specialists at DOCS Health offer advanced posterolateral corner (PLC) knee injury treatment at our medical center in Los Angeles.
There are 28 different components within the PLC, but the most important stabilizers are the lateral collateral ligament (LCL), popliteus tendon and popliteofibular ligament. PLC knee injuries rarely occur without other knee sprain injuries. PLC knee injuries are often in tandem with ACL or PCL sprains or tears. Direct blows the knee from the front while the leg is hyperextended can cause a PLC injury.
Symptoms of PLC Knee Injuries
PLC knee injuries can be mild, moderate or severe. Mild and moderate injuries can cause pain and bruising along the outside back of the knee and some laxity or instability in the knee. The peroneal nerve is located within the PLC structure, and there can be neurosurgical injuries if the nerve is damaged, which can impact the affected foot. Severe cases will have extreme instability, especially when using stairs or if the knee is twisted.
Treatment for mild and moderate PLC knee injuries can include wearing a knee brace and using assistive devices like crutches, followed by physical therapy. If a severe injury occurs, surgery may be required to repair or reconstruct damaged tendons or ligaments.
If you suffer a knee injury that includes damage to the PLC, contact us at DOCS Health. We offer posterolateral corner (PLC) knee injury treatment at our state-of-the-art orthopedic clinic in Los Angeles.
Doctors who treat this condition
Unless otherwise indicated, the physician is a member of DOCS Health Medical Group and has medical staff privileges at DOCS Surgery Center, DOCS Surgical Hospital, or both. Physicians denoted with an asterisk (*) are independent physicians who are not part of DOCS Health Medical Group, but do have medical staff privileges at DOCS Surgery Center, DOCS Surgical Hospital, or both.