Lateral Collateral Ligament Injuries

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An LCL injury is a sprain or tear to the lateral collateral ligament (LCL). The LCL is a band of tissue on the outside of your knee. It connects your thigh bone to the bone of your lower leg and helps keep the knee from bending outward.

You can hurt your LCL during activities that involve bending, twisting or a quick change of direction. For example, the LCL can be injured in football or soccer when the inside of the knee is hit. This type of injury can also occur while skiing and playing other sports with lots of stop-and-go movements, jumping or weaving.

An injury to your LCL may cause:

• Swelling, pain and tenderness, especially on the outside of your knee
• Several hours after the injury, your pain may get worse, and it might be harder to move your knee
• Bruising
• An unstable feeling in your knee, like it may lock up, buckle or give out

A doctor will examine you and ask questions about your past health. They will also ask how you injured your knee and about your symptoms at the time you injured it.

The doctor will carefully examine your knee and leg. They will look and feel to see if there is swelling and may gently push on certain places to find spots that are most tender. Then your doctor will move your knee and leg in certain ways to help check for stability. They will also look at the rest of your leg to make sure blood is flowing, the leg works well and there are no other injuries above or below the knee.

You may have some tests, such as an X-ray, MRI or ultrasound.

Most LCL injuries can be treated at home with:

• Rest and protecting your knee
• Ice or a cold pack
• Wrapping your knee with an elastic (compression) bandage
• Propping up (elevating) your knee
• Anti-inflammatory medicine

Your doctor may suggest using crutches to limit how much weight you put on your leg. They may also suggest wearing a brace that protects and supports the knee but allows for some movement.

You may need to be less active for a while. But doing gentle stretching and range-of-motion exercises as advised by your doctor can help you heal.

A severe tear may need surgery. But this is not usually done unless you also injure other parts of your knee, such as the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or meniscus.

Your treatment will depend on how severe your injury is and whether other parts of your knee are injured. There are generally three grades of injury:

• Grade 1 (Mild): These injuries may only need home treatment along with using crutches for a short time. You may also need to wear a hinged knee brace when your doctor says it’s okay for you to put weight on your leg. Many people are able to be active again after three to four weeks.
• Grade 2 (Moderate): These injuries may require using crutches and wearing a hinged knee brace. Many people are able to be active again after eight to 12 weeks.
• Grade 3 (Severe): These injuries may require wearing a hinged brace for a few months and limiting weight on the leg for at least six weeks. Many people are able to be active again after eight to 12 weeks. In some cases, surgery may be needed. But this is not usually done unless you also injure other parts of your knee, such as the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or meniscus.

Your doctor may recommend physical therapy to increase range of motion and strengthen your muscles.

When you have an LCL injury, it is recommended that you:

• Put ice or a cold pack on your knee for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Put a thin cloth between the ice and your skin. Try to do this every one to two hours (when you are awake) for the first three days after your injury or until the swelling goes down.
• Prop your leg up on a pillow when you ice it or anytime you sit or lie down. Do this for about three days after your injury. Try to elevate your knee above the level of your heart. This will help reduce swelling.
• Take anti-inflammatory medicines to reduce pain and swelling. These include ibuprofen and naproxen. Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
• Follow instructions about how much weight you can put on your leg and how to walk with crutches, if your doctor recommends them.
• Wear a brace, if your doctor recommends it, to protect and support your knee while it heals. Wear it as directed.
• Do stretches or strength exercises as your doctor suggests.