Injury Centre | knee | lateral collateral ligament

The Lateral Collateral Ligament is the knee ligament that is located on the outside of the knee that links the thigh bone and the shin bone. A ligament injury is referred to as a sprain, and this knee injury can occur if the knee is twisted or subject to force from an opponent during sport.

The LCL is most commonly injured in sports by a direct impact to the inner surface of the knee joint, such as by a rugby or a football tackle. Injuries of this type are less common than those affecting the medial collateral ligament (MCL) which commonly occur as a result of trauma to the outer surface of the knee joint. In addition, the LCL is not connected to the lateral meniscus and so unlike MCL injuries, they are not normally associated with meniscal tears. However, due to the nature of the injury the anterior cruciate or posterior cruciate ligaments may also become damaged.

 

An impact against the inner side of the knee joint can cause the Lateral Collateral Ligament to rupture. A more violent impact causes the Anterior Cruciate Ligament to rupture as well. In severe cases the Posterior Cruciate Ligament also ruptures.

As with most ligament tears (sprains) the extent of the damage can be categorized into 3 degree's of sprain:

With a first degree sprain of the Lateral ligament there will be pain when the site of the damage is touched. Stressing the ligament (when the knee is slightly bent and the shin is moved inwards in relation to the thigh) is painful - this action is reproduced when standing up from sitting in a chair.

In the case of a second degree sprain, the pain is more severe when the injury site is touched and when the ligament is stressed. Because the ligament is outside the knee joint, there may not be marked swelling of the knee.

In the case of a third degree sprain, where the ligament is ruptured, the pain is excruciating and the knee joint becomes unstable.

 

Grade 1

• Mild tenderness on the outside of the knee over the ligament.
• Usually no swelling.
• When the knee is bent to 30 degrees and force applied to the inside of the knee (stressing the lateral ligament) pain is felt but there is no joint laxity (looseness).

Grade 2

• Significant tenderness on the outside of the knee on the lateral ligament.
• Some swelling seen over the ligament.
• When the knee is stressed as for grade 1 symptoms, there is pain and laxity in the joint, although there is a definite end point (the knee cannot be bent sideways completely).

Grade 3

• This is a complete tear of the ligament.
• Pain can vary and may be actually less than a grade 2 sprain.
• When stressing the knee there is significant joint laxity.
• The athlete may complain of having a very unstable knee.

What to do!

• If there is swelling apply RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation).
• Discontinue with sport that irritates the injury
• Wear a hinged knee brace to support the joint, particularly for grade 2 and 3 injuries.
• Wear a heat retainer after the acute phase
• See a sports injury specialist

 

Disclaimer

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