Your doctor may order a magnetic resonance imaging MRI scan. An MRI has an accuracy rate of nearly 90 percent in determining whether and how badly a lateral collateral ligament has been torn.
Lateral collateral ligament tears do not heal as well as medial collateral ligament tears do. Grade 3 lateral collateral ligament tears may require surgery. In some cases, all that is required is rest, wearing a brace, taking pain relievers such as ibuprofen and having physical therapy. Your doctor may recommend that you wear a lightweight cast or brace that allows your knee to move backward and forward but restricts side-to-side movement. This is usually worn for 72 hours.
Depending on how well it reduces your pain and swelling, you may be able to start a rehabilitative program in a few days. When the pain and swelling have gone down, you should be able to start exercises to restore strength and range of motion to your knee. If you still have soreness while doing these exercises, go slowly to prevent further irritation.
It may take up to eight weeks to fully recover, depending on the grade of your injury. If the lateral collateral ligament was torn where it attaches to the thighbone femur or shinbone tibia , the surgeon will reattach the ligament to the bone using large stitches or a metal bone staple. If the tear happened in the middle of the ligament, the surgeon will typically sew the torn ends together. If the damage was so severe it cannot be repaired, your surgeon may reconstruct a tendon by using a graft taken from a tendon of your thigh muscles quadriceps or your hamstrings.
Lateral knee reconstruction is an open-knee procedure, meaning it is not done arthroscopically. The tendon graft is passed through bone tunnels and fixed to the thighbone and lower leg bone using screws or posts or with stitches tied around a post.
Skip to content. Lateral Collateral Ligament Tears Not what you're looking for? Start New Search. They are most often seen in athletes and alongside other injuries, such as knee dislocations. The LCL is one of the 4 main stabilizing ligaments of the knee. Ligaments are strong fibrous bands that connect bone to other bone. The LCL is located on the outside of the knee and connects the femur thighbone to the fibula a slim bone that runs down the outside of the calf and forms part of the ankle joint.
See Guide to Knee Joint Anatomy. Knee injuries. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. Medial collateral ligament and posterior medial corner injuries. Updated by: C. Editorial team.
Collateral ligament CL injury - aftercare. The lateral collateral ligament LCL runs on the outer side of your knee. The medial collateral ligament MCL runs along the inside of your knee.
More About Your Injury. With a collateral ligament injury, you may notice: A loud pop when the injury occurs Your knee is unstable and can shift side to side as if it "gives way" Locking or catching of the knee with movement Knee swelling Knee pain along the inside or outside of your knee After examining your knee, the doctor may order these imaging tests: X-rays to check for damage to the bones in your knee.
An MRI of the knee. An MRI machine takes special pictures of the tissues inside your knee. The pictures will show whether these tissues have been stretched or torn.
If your doctor believes you may have a torn ligament, you may undergo imaging tests like X-rays or MRI scans. These tests will allow your doctor to see the soft tissues inside the knee. The treatment options for LCL injuries will depend on the severity of the injury and your lifestyle. For more severe injuries, treatment may also include physical therapy, rehabilitation, or surgery. Physical therapy strengthens and helps you regain range of motion.
Surgery may include ligament repair or reconstruction. However, the LCL is often injured along with other ligaments in the knee. In these cases, surgery is probably necessary. Shop for knee braces. However, several preventive measures can help minimize the risk of a knee ligament injury, including:.
For minor injuries, the ligament may heal without any issue. The joint could become swollen and sore simply from physical activity or minor injury. You may not be able to do physical activities that require repetitive use of the knee, including running, climbing, or biking. Pain could result from minor activities like walking or standing for extended periods.
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