What are LCL Tears? An LCL tear is the commonest knee injury after getting a high-energy blow to the anteromedial knee. It leads to pain, swelling, and bruises. The lateral collateral ligament (LCL) is a tissue band on the outer part of your knee, the side away from your body. This tissue links the lower leg bones to the thigh bone. It prevents your knee from bending outwards the wrong way. Athletes playing sports like soccer, skiing, or football are more likely to tear their LCL. Such injuries can stop you from playing, but with rest, proper care, and rehab, you may return to certain sports later.

How Does the Knee Work? Your knee joint has three bones:

• The thighbone, or femur
• The kneecap—called the patella
• The shinbone, known as the tibia

Ligaments connect these bones. They fall into two categories. Collateral ligaments: These ligaments sit on each side of your knee. The medial collateral ligament (MCL), located on the inner side, connects your tibia and femur. On the outer side, the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) links your fibula to your femur. These ligaments provide side to side stability to your knee. Cruciate ligaments: Found inside your knee joint, the cruciate ligaments cross each other to form an “X.” The anterior cruciate ligament is at the front, while the posterior cruciate ligament is at the back. These help control the forward and backward motion of your knee.

Who Does an LCL Tear Affect? Anyone twisting, bending, or making quick stop-and-go moves might tear their LCL. Football players hit in the knee, basketball players jumping, or soccer players who make sharp turns are more likely to get this injury.

Symptoms of LCL Tear Most LCL tears occur during sports with activities like:

• Bending
• Hard hits
• Sharp turns
• Twisting
• Jumping
• Zigzagging
• Stopping and starting

Signs of an LCL tear might include:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Soreness
• Bruises
• An unstable knee - you might feel like your knee is going to buckle, lock up, or give out.

How to Diagnose LCL Tears? Your doctor will ask about how you got injured and take a close look at your knee. They’ll focus on things like:

• If it feels tender.
• If there’s any swelling.
• How your knee moves.
• How your leg moves.
• Any other possible injuries.

Your doctor might also suggest some tests, such as:

• X-ray.
• MRI.
• Ultrasound.

What is the treatment of LCL Tears? Providers classify knee injuries into three grades: Grade 1: Minor knee injuries happen when your LCL is not torn. Resting at home and using crutches should help you recover. Your doctor might suggest wearing a hinged knee brace once you can put some weight on your leg. Most people start feeling normal again in three to four weeks. Grade 2: Moderate knee injuries include a partial tear in your LCL. You’ll need crutches at first and, later, a hinged brace to recover. It takes 8-12 weeks to get better. Grade 3: Serious knee injuries involve a completely torn or separated LCL. Healing can take around eight to 12 weeks. You might need to wear a hinged brace for months.

If your injury is bad, you might need surgery. Doctors consider a knee injury serious when the LCL is torn along with another knee part, such as:

• Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)
• Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
• Meniscus You might also need physical therapy to build strength, regain movement, and learn home exercises to help with healing.

How do I lower my chances of getting an LCL Tear? You can’t stop a knee injury like an LCL tear, but you can try a few things to lower the chances:

• Use a knee brace to support your ligaments when you play sports.
• Keep your knees in proper alignment during sports. Talk to a doctor to learn how to maintain alignment while playing.
• Stretch before games or practices.
• Build strength and flexibility by doing conditioning exercises.