First degree lateral collateral ligament (LCL) injury

Causes and Risks:
The lateral collateral ligament (LCL) is a ligament extending from the top-outside surface of the fibula to the bottom-outside surface of the femur. The ligament prevents the knee joint from lateral instability, that is, instability on the outside of the joint.

The LCL is usually injured by pressure placed on the knee-joint from the inside or medial pressure, resulting in stress on the outside of the joint (varus stress).

Prevention:
Use proper technique when exercising or playing sports. Many cases may not be preventable.

Symptoms:



Signs and Tests:
A physical examination with a lateral collateral ligament test (varus stress at 25 degrees of flexion) results in unchanged knee joint tightness. This involves bending the knee to 25 degrees and placing pressure on the inside surface of the knee.

Other tests may include:



Treatment:
Initial treatment of a first degree LCL injury includes ice to the area, elevation of the joint (above the level of the heart), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and limited physical activity until the pain and swelling subside. Physical therapy should be involved to help regain knee and leg strength.

Prognosis:
When tissue is damaged, the body begins a healing process almost immediately by moving various cells and elements to the area necessary to rebuild, or replace the injured tissue. Certain types of tissue in the body such as ligaments and cartilage have little blood supply (vascularization) and subsequently, they take longer to heal than comparable injuries to other tissues that are more highly vascularized (such as skin). This means that the LCL injury could take from weeks to months to completely heal.

Complications:



Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Call your health care provider if you injure your knee and symptoms of first degree LCL injury occur.

Call your health care provider if you are being treated for a first degree LCL injury and you notice increased instability in your knee, if pain or swelling return after they initially subsided, or if your injury does not appear to be resolving with time.

Also call if you reinjure your knee.


This is a picture of the side of a normal leg. The lateral cruciate ligament (LCL) is found on the outside of the knee joint.