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The knee has four major ligaments that make up the knee joint complex including the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) which is the main structure located on the outer (lateral) side of your knee, that attaches between the femur (thigh bone) and the fibula. Your LCL controls sideways movement of the knee and helps to keep it safely in place as you move.
Causes of an LCL tear or injury
An LCL injury or tear is most often a sports-related injury that occurs when the knee is forcefully twisted or hyperextended such as when there is a direct hit or blow to the inside of your knee. Changing direction rapidly, stopping suddenly, slowing down while running, landing from a jump incorrectly, and direct contact or collision, such as during a rugby tackle can cause injury to the LCL. It can also be injured by repeated stress that causes the knee to lose its normal elasticity.
Symptoms an LCL tear or injury
A person with a LCL injury usually reports symptoms similar to other knee ligament injuries:
Sharp knee pain – unlike progressive knee conditions, such as knee osteoarthritis, symptoms of an LCL tear occur suddenly and can almost always be traced back to a specific incident or injury.
A popping sound – often heard at the time of the injury
Instability – this may be especially noticeable during activities that strain the knee joint, such as walking downstairs and pivoting on one leg.
Knee swelling – this usually occurs immediately after the incident/accident however, in some patients, swelling may develop up to 24 hours later and can last for up to a week.
The foot feels numb, cool or weak – This symptom needs immediate medical attention as it could also indicate a neurovascular injury.
Diagnosing an LCL tear or injury
To diagnose an LCL tear, Dr Singh will inquire about the events leading up to the injury and a physical examination of your knee will be performed. He will test your range of motion, look for swelling, and test your degree of pain which all assist with your diagnosis. In many cases, athletes complain of feeling side-to-side instability and may have varus gapping on the physical exam. This is when the knee opens on the outside (lateral side) due to the lack of a lateral ligament constraint.
X-rays will be performed to establish if there is any bone damage, and an MRI scan may be required to evaluate the condition of your ligaments, tendons, and cartilage and to determine the extent of your injury.
It is important to remember that many conditions can cause knee pain, so a correct diagnosis in consultation with Dr Singh is critical in determining the best treatment option for you.
Treating an LCL tear or injury
For a lateral collateral ligament injury that is diagnosed as a strain, sprain or pull, surgery may not be required. Rest, bracing, physiotherapy and strengthening exercises may help the LCL injury heal and if there is pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be used as directed.
If however, the non-surgical measures do not alleviate the symptoms and pain or, if there is a tear in the tendon, surgery may be recommended and the surgical procedure to repair the LCL injury will vary, depending on the amount of damage to the ligament.
Your treatment options can all be discussed in your consultation with Dr Singh.
