[Sonographic imaging of the posterior cruciate ligament].

At present, cruciate ligaments can only be demonstrated by invasive examination methods (computerized tomography, arthroscopy). In roughly 50% of all cruciate ligament ruptures, the typical clinical symptoms of torn ligaments (abnormally increased motility of the tibia against the femur) cannot be elicited. In the case of older cruciate ligament ruptures especially, uncharacteristic complaints such as recurrent water on the knee, pain in the knee, and a feeling of instability are prominent. In experiments (knee ligament system), the posterior cruciate ligament (p.c.l) can be demonstrated clearly. In longitudinal scans the ligament can be located easily both in specimens as well as in patients. In contrast, the p.c.l. can usually only be identified in transverse scans by the typical shift of the ligament cross-section at various levels.