Second or third degree lateral collateral ligament (LCL) injury
Alternative names:
injury - knee - LCL - second or third degree; injury - lateral collateral ligament - second or third degree; injury - LCL - second or third degree; knee injury - lateral collateral ligament - second or third degree; lateral collateral ligament injury - second or third degree
Treatment:
Initial treatment of a second or third 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. A knee immobilizer could be used as symptoms dictate to assist in stabilizing the joint. Physical therapy should be involved to help regain joint and leg strength. If the injury is acute, and/or you have a high activity level, surgery may be necessary. Age has an effect on treatment; younger patients are more likely to have problems without surgery.
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, months, or years to completely heal.
Complications:
Calling your health care provider:
Call your health care provider if you injure your knee and symptoms of second or third degree LCL injury occur.
Call your health care provider if you are being treated for a second or third 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.
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