Injury of the lateral collateral ligament (LCL)

1. Definition:

An injury to the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) involves damage to the ligament on the outer side of the knee joint. The LCL is one of the four major ligaments that provide stability to the knee, helping to prevent excessive side-to-side movement. When the LCL is injured, it can result in pain, swelling, and instability in the knee.

2. Principal Causes:

Injury to the LCL can occur due to various factors, including:

• Trauma: Direct impact or force applied to the inner side of the knee, such as during a tackle in sports or a motor vehicle accident, can stretch or tear the LCL.

• Sports injuries: Activities that involve sudden changes in direction, pivoting, or twisting motions, such as football, basketball, or skiing, can increase the risk of LCL injury.

• Hyperextension: Overextending the knee joint beyond its normal range of motion, often during activities like landing from a jump, can strain or tear the LCL.

• Knee hyperflexion: Excessive bending of the knee joint, especially with the foot planted firmly on the ground, can also cause LCL injury.

3. Symptoms:

Common symptoms of an LCL injury include:

• Pain: Pain along the outer side of the knee, which may be sharp or dull and worsen with movement or pressure on the joint.

• Swelling: Swelling and tenderness around the LCL, particularly on the outer side of the knee.

• Instability: Feeling of looseness or instability in the knee, especially during activities that involve side-to-side movement or weight-bearing.

• Restricted range of motion: Difficulty fully extending or bending the knee due to pain and swelling.

• Bruising: Bruising or discoloration around the outer side of the knee, which may develop gradually or soon after the injury.

4. Our Treatment as a EvivaPHYSIO:

As a physiotherapy clinic, our treatment approach for an LCL injury may include:

• Assessment and diagnosis: Conducting a thorough evaluation to assess the severity of the LCL injury and identify any associated injuries or underlying factors.

• Rest and immobilization: Recommending rest and using supportive devices such as braces or crutches to protect the knee and promote healing.

• Manual therapy: Providing hands-on techniques such as joint mobilization, soft tissue massage, and stretching exercises to reduce pain, improve mobility, and restore normal function.

• Strengthening exercises: Designing a tailored exercise program to strengthen the muscles around the knee, including the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calf muscles, to enhance stability and support the injured ligament.

• Balance and proprioception training: Incorporating exercises to improve balance, coordination, and proprioception (awareness of joint position) to reduce the risk of reinjury and improve overall knee function.

• Functional rehabilitation: Gradually reintroducing functional activities and sport-specific drills to help the individual return to their normal daily activities and athletic pursuits safely and effectively.

Our goal is to optimize recovery, minimize pain and disability, and promote a safe return to activity following an LCL injury. We work closely with other healthcare providers, including orthopedic surgeons, to ensure coordinated care and achieve the best possible outcomes for our patients.