LCL / MCL Sprain or Tear
Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL)- is a strong fibrous connection to the femur (thigh bone) and the fibular head which is the outer bone of the lower leg. The LCL helps protect your knee against forces that come from between your legs and is directed to the side of your body. For example it would protect your knee from a kick to the inside of your leg.
Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL)- is a strong fibrous connection to the femur (thigh bone) and to the lower leg (shin bone) and sits in the inside of the leg and protects the knee against forces that come from the outside of the knee directed between your legs. For example, it would protect your knee from a kick to the outside of your leg.
An LCL/MCL injury is most commonly caused by a direct force to the inner or outer surface of the knee and is a very common injury in sports like rugby or football.
Symptoms can range from mild tenderness in the area to swelling and even joint laxity. If joint laxity is one of your symptoms then a tear of one of these two ligaments is more likely the reason.
Treatment
For a mild sprain, resting the knee and applying ice will help bring down inflammation
For a more severe sprain or tear of the MCL/LCL, surgery is more likely
In either case, physical therapy will speed recovery and educate you on prevention of this injury from occurring again.
Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL)- is a strong fibrous connection to the femur (thigh bone) and to the lower leg (shin bone) and sits in the inside of the leg and protects the knee against forces that come from the outside of the knee directed between your legs. For example, it would protect your knee from a kick to the outside of your leg.
An LCL/MCL injury is most commonly caused by a direct force to the inner or outer surface of the knee and is a very common injury in sports like rugby or football.
Symptoms can range from mild tenderness in the area to swelling and even joint laxity. If joint laxity is one of your symptoms then a tear of one of these two ligaments is more likely the reason.
Treatment
For a mild sprain, resting the knee and applying ice will help bring down inflammation
For a more severe sprain or tear of the MCL/LCL, surgery is more likely
In either case, physical therapy will speed recovery and educate you on prevention of this injury from occurring again.
