A health condition in which the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) is affected is called a LCL tear. Generally, the LCL is a vital band of tissue that is located on the outside of the knee. Usually, this condition occurs in athletes, and it causes a lot of pain and other symptoms. While some people may heal within 3 weeks, other people may need more than 3 months to recover.
In other words, the LCL is a band of tissue that connects the lower leg bones to the thigh bone. It also stops the knee from bending outward abnormally. Furthermore, it is quite difficult to estimate how many people have LCL tears. In any case, the risk of developing it one more time is higher once you have had it.
How Does The Knee Work?
Normally, the knee is made up of the thighbone (femur), kneecap (patella), and shinbone (tibia). They are connected together through 2 types of ligaments. Examples include:
- Collateral ligaments – These ligaments are located on the sides of the knee. While the medial (inside) ligament links the femur and tibia, the lateral (outside) collateral ligament connects the fibula and femur. They also help move the knee sideways.
- Cruciate ligaments – These ligaments are inside the knee joint, and they cross each other to form an “X” to control the way your knee moves forward and back. Cruciate ligaments have 2 parts, including the anterior cruciate ligament (in the front) and the posterior cruciate ligament (in the back).
Symptoms
Usually, those who develop an LCL tear often experience some symptoms. Check some examples below:
- Tenderness
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Pain
- An unstable feeling
While it is not common, some people may find that the sensation of being unstable on the feet continues after they are walking again. In this case, it is advised to inform your doctor because such instability may cause concerns about injuring yourself again. However, if any of the previous symptoms occur, do not hesitate to visit a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
Causes and Risk Factors
In most cases, LCL tears occur when a person plays a sport that involves:
- Twisting
- Weaving
- Frequent starts and stops
- Quick changes of direction
- Hard contact
- Bending
This health condition happens more commonly among people who play the following sports. For example, football, skiing, and soccer.
While anyone can develop an LCL tear, the following factors could increase your risk even more. Check some of them below:
- Traumatic incidents (these include falls, motor vehicle accidents, landing awkwardly, and others)
- Age and gender – According to some research, men and boys, and people between the ages of 20 and 34 and 55 and 65 are more prone to LCL tears.
- Hyperextension
- Previous knee injuries
- Sudden pivoting or twisting of the knee
- Direct impacts on the medial side of the knee
- Contact and high-impact sports
What Are The Potential Complications of an LCL Tear?
This condition may also cause certain complications, which are common for most injuries. Check some examples below:
- Stiffness
- Numbness, weakness, or tingling in the knee or lower leg
- Crunching or grinding in the knee joint
- A feeling of instability in the knee joint
- Peroneal nerve injury
- Chronic pain
- Failed healing – Sometimes, the LCL does not heal properly. In this case, the affected person may need surgery.
- Chronic (long-term) arthritis – This complication often occurs due to chronic instability.
The previous list does not contain a full list of complications, but you can consult with your physician about ways to reduce the risk of developing them.
How to Prevent LCL Tears?
Most of the time, it is not possible to prevent an LCL injury, but doctors may recommend the following tips to reduce the risk. Check some examples below:
- Support your ligaments by wearing a knee brace, especially if you are playing sports.
- Stretch before practices or games
- Regularly do conditioning exercises to improve flexibility and strength
Diagnosis
Doctors usually start the diagnosis of an LCL tear with a physical examination and questions about the symptoms. During this procedure, they will check for tenderness, swelling, and other problems. However, to confirm or rule out this condition, physicians usually perform the following imaging tests. They help get detailed images of different tissues and organs in the body (including the knee). For example:
- X-rays
- Ultrasound
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans
- CT (computerized tomography) scans
Treatment
Physicians usually prescribe different treatments for people who develop an LCL tear because they depend on several factors. These include the grade of the condition, your age, existing health problems, and preferences. Doctors have divided the severity of this condition into 3 categories. For example:
- Grade 1 – The first grade of this condition means the injury is mild and the LCL is not completely torn. In such cases, people recover with home remedies (including the use of crutches). Mostly, people begin to feel better within 3-4 weeks after starting the treatment.
- Grade 2 – The second grade of LCL tears is considered moderate, and they cause a partial tear in the LCL. To treat this condition, doctors may recommend using crutches and then a hinged knee brace. Usually, people recover within 12 weeks.
- Grade 3 – This is a severe form of LCL tears, and it occurs when the LCL is completely torn or separated. Most people need surgery to treat this grade of LCL tears.
Surgery
In more severe cases, people need surgery (even open surgery), especially if their meniscus or anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is affected. This treatment is used to stitch up the torn LCL, reattach the bones to the LCL, or reconstruct the ligament.
Physiotherapy
This option is also known as physical therapy, and it helps strengthen the muscles, increase the range of motion, and learn exercises that help recover faster.
Home Remedies
There are some options that usually help people with mild LCL tears recover. Check some examples below:
- Rest
- Limit the weight that you put on the affected leg
- Use a brace and crutches
- Regularly perform gentle stretches and range-of-motion exercises as directed by your physician
- Administer anti-inflammatory medicines, such as NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), including Ibuprofen and Naproxen sodium.
- Compress the knee by wrapping it with an elastic bandage
Frequently Asked Questions
Do LCL tears heal on their own?
Mild LCL tears can heal on their own with time and home remedies. In moderate to severe cases, an LCL tear does not heal without treatment. If you want to resume your activities, first consult with your doctor to reduce the risk of further injury.
Can LCL tears return after they heal?
Yes, this condition can recur if it does not heal completely or if you ignore your doctor’s recommendations. That’s why it is advised to take extra precautions to reduce the risk (including wearing a knee brace, stretching, and others).
When should I go to the ER?
If you experience any of the following symptoms, immediately call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room (ER). Examples include:
- Coughing up blood
- Sudden chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Pain in the thigh, groin, or knee that does not disappear with medicines
- Swelling or redness in the leg or groin
- Inability to move toes
- Foot color changes
If you have any other questions, ask your healthcare provider.
