Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) tear/sprain
Definition:
Located on the lateral aspect of the knee attaching to the femur and fibulua; it is the primary restraint to varus rotation & lateral rotation with MCL, provides stability (MedlinePlus). Injuries are usually sport or traumatic related with force or pressure on the medial side of the knee joint resulting in an excessive load on the lateral ligament.
Subjective:
Objective:
Intervention:
Located on the lateral aspect of the knee attaching to the femur and fibulua; it is the primary restraint to varus rotation & lateral rotation with MCL, provides stability (MedlinePlus). Injuries are usually sport or traumatic related with force or pressure on the medial side of the knee joint resulting in an excessive load on the lateral ligament.
Subjective:
- Swelling of the knee
- Locking or catching with movement
- Pain or tenderness on lateral side of knee
- Feeling of knee giving way (MedlinePlus)
Objective:
- Varus stress full extension
- Most specific test: varus stress at 30 degrees flexion because it isolates LCL (Dutton).
Intervention:
- Pain management acutely
- RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation)
- Bracing
- maintain range of motion by stretching followed by strengthening (MedlinePlus)
- Often surgery is not needed
References:
- Dutton M. Orthopaedic Examination, Evaluation, and Intervention. 2nd ed: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.; 2008.
- MedlinePlus. Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) injury of the knee. National Health Institute. Accessed on 26 June 2012 http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001079.htm
- Image: http://www.drbraceco.com/understanding-your-knee.php