First degree lateral collateral ligament (LCL) injury

Alternative names:

injury - knee - LCL - first degree; injury - lateral collateral ligament - first degree; injury - LCL - first degree; knee injury - lateral collateral ligament - first degree; lateral collateral ligament injury - first degree

Treatment:

Initial treatment of a first degree LCL injury includes ice to the area, elevation of the joint (above the level of the heart), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and limited physical activity until the pain and swelling subside. Physical therapy should be involved to help regain knee and leg strength.

Expectations (prognosis):

When tissue is damaged, the body begins a healing process almost immediately by moving various cells and elements to the area necessary to rebuild, or replace the injured tissue. Certain types of tissue in the body such as ligaments and cartilage have little blood supply (vascularization) and subsequently, they take longer to heal than comparable injuries to other tissues that are more highly vascularized (such as skin). This means that the LCL injury could take from weeks to months to completely heal.

Complications:

• weakness of the joint, making it more susceptible to reinjury
• chronic pain

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you injure your knee and symptoms of first degree LCL injury occur.

Call your health care provider if you are being treated for a first degree LCL injury and you notice increased instability in your knee, if pain or swelling return after they initially subsided, or if your injury does not appear to be resolving with time.

Also call if you reinjure your knee.