What is an LCL injury?
The lateral collateral ligament (LCL) is soft tissue on the outside of the knee that connects the thigh bone to the lower leg bone. Along with the medial collateral ligament (MCL) on the inside of the knee, it allows you to move your knee sideways while keeping it stable. An LCL injury, or sprain, can happen if the knee moves too far sideways. It’s a common injury in athletes, especially those who play football, soccer, or skiing. An LCL injury can also result from an accident.
At Penn Orthopaedics, specialists with expertise in knee injuries and sports medicine and rehabilitation help you get back to living pain free and doing the activities you enjoy.
Symptoms of an LCL injury
An LCL tear may cause these symptoms:
- A popping sound when you injured your knee
- Locking or catching sensations when you move the knee
- Pain or tenderness on the outside of the knee
- Swelling
- Stiffness
- Bruising
- A feeling that your knee is unstable
What causes an LCL injury?
The LCL can stretch or tear when pressure pushes the knee outward. This can happen if you’re in an accident and your knee is pushed sideways. During a contact sport, your LCL can tear during a collision. LCL injuries can also occur when doing everyday activities that stress the knee, especially when you:
- Bend
- Change directions quickly
- Twist
- Jump
- Weave
- Stop and start a movement repeatedly
Football, soccer, basketball, and skiing involve these movements and increase the risk of an LCL tear. Also, having one LCL tear makes it more likely that you’ll have another. Treatment, including rehabilitation, after an LCL injury can help you recover quickly.
Diagnosing an LCL injury
To diagnose an LCL injury, your health care provider will ask about your injury and symptoms and examine your knee. They’ll check for tenderness and swelling and look at how your knee and leg move. They may run imaging tests to confirm a diagnosis and check for other knee problems like anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries and meniscus tears, which can accompany severe LCL sprains.
LCL injury treatment
Most LCL injuries can heal within weeks if you follow conservative, non-surgical treatment recommendations, such as wearing a brace and getting physical therapy. If fluid has built up in your knee, your health care provider may drain the fluid. If the injury is severe or if you have another knee injury, such as an ACL tear or a meniscus tear, your doctor may recommend knee surgery.
How to prevent an LCL injury
You might not always be able to prevent an LCL sprain, but these steps may help lower your risk:
- Wear a knee brace
- Stretch before playing sports or doing other exercises
- Make time for exercises that improve strength and flexibility
Advanced sports medicine treatments at Penn Orthopaedics
Our orthopaedics and sports medicine teams provide comprehensive care for every type of sports injury, including LCL tears. Our specialists treat people of all ages and abilities—not just athletes. Our individualized treatment plans aim to reduce your LCL pain while you heal and prevent future injury.