Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL)

Lateral collateral ligament(LCL) and Posterolateral ligamentous corner (PLC)

LCL

Popliteus posterior view

Popliteus lateral view

Biceps Femoris muscle

LCL injury mechanism

ICRS Hyaline Cartilage Lesion Classification System

Grade

1: Sprain
2: Partial tear
3: Complete tear

ACL injury may be associated with collateral ligament tears

LCL injury may be related to knee dislocation

LCL and Meniscus tears

LCL tears may be associated with meniscus tear
Variation in meniscus tear pattern

Common meniscus tear patterns

Investigations

Knee X-rays:

Fractures including avulsion ligamentous injury can be excluded with knee X-rays

Ultrasound:

Useful to assess collateral ligament tears and grading thereof

MRI scan:

Gold standard investigation for soft tissue knee injury

Management LCL injury

Non-surgical treatment

Isolated Grade 1-2
Knee range of motion (ROM) brace where clinically indicated
Strengthening exercises
Progressive return to sport after completing a battery of testing

Surgery

Functional instability in an LCL & PLC deficient knee
Multiligamentous knee injury instability

Knee ROM brace

Knee collateral ligament strapping

Quadriceps strengthening with resistance band

Download ASSIC Performance Fingerprint or Strength & Conditioning apps for guideline knee bracing and rehab routine guidelines

Surgery: LCL and PLC reconstruction

The LCL and PLC are reconstructed using graft with fixation to the lateral femur anatomic sites and at the fibular, depending on the reconstruction technique.

Download ASSIC Performance Fingerprint or Strength & Conditioning apps for post surgery guideline rehab routines

Contributor:

Dr M Y Hassan

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