Lateral Collateral Ligament Injury - (LCL Injury)

A lateral collateral ligament injury is an sprain of the ligament on the outside of the knee that runs from the bottom lateral side of the femur to the top lateral side of the fibula and prevents the outside of the joint line from opening/widening. This injury occurs much less often than a sprain or tear of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) and usually occurs in conjunction to damage to other structures of the knee.

 

Symptoms

• Pain on the outside of the knee

• Instability or the feeling of “giving out”

• Swelling on the lateral side of the knee

• Difficulty bending and straightening the knee

• Possible bruising on the outside of the knee

• Hear or feel a “pop” on the outside of the knee (complete tear)

 

Causes

• Direct injury to the outside of the knee

• Direct blow to the inside of the knee causing extreme angulation of the lower leg in relation to the thigh

• Planting and cutting causing extreme angulation of the lower leg in relation to the thigh, causing the outside of the joint line to widen.

 

Risk factors

• Collision sports such as football or highly agile sports such as soccer

• Bow legged

• Pigeon toed

 

Prevention

• Avoid high impact or collision sports

• Correct bad form in walking and running that would cause knees or toes to point in

 

Diagnosis

• A physician will examine and test the integrity of the ligaments of the knee along with taking a thorough medical history

• X-rays to rule out fracture

• MRI to confirm suspicion of LCL injury and determine the degree of the sprain/tear.

 

Treatment

Non-surgical treatment

• Rest

• Ice 

• Rehabilitation

• Bracing 

LCL ligament repair

• May not be necessary if the injury/tear is an isolation injury