Return to Play

The time frame for return to play depends on the severity of the LCL injury and concomitant injuries. Early goals of therapy are to prevent stiffness of the knee while allowing healing to take place. Later, sport-specific therapy is started to transition the athlete into full participation. The athlete needs to regain strength and functional rehabilitation, including proprioception, sport-specific activity, and some type of dynamic running program.

Functional testing (eg, one-legged balance, jumping, running, cutting) should be completed to evaluate the overall condition of the knee. Athletes should be pain free with functional activities and regain full strength and range of motion before they return to sports.

Prevention

Knee bracing has not been shown to be effective in preventing LCL injuries. A program directed at improving flexibility and strength of the core musculature may lessen the likelihood of lower extremity sporting injury.

Snider RK, ed. Essentials of Musculoskeletal Care. Rosemont, Ill: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; 2000. 336-8.
Griffin LY. Acute knee injuries. Sports Medicine. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, Inc; 1994. 2255-60.
Choi JY, Chang CB, Kim TK, Hong SH, Kang HS. Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings of the Lateral Collateral Ligament and Popliteus Tendon in Symptomatic Knees Without Instability. Arthroscopy. 2015 Jan 21. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Ranawat A, Baker CL 3rd, Henry S, Harner CD. Posterolateral corner injury of the knee: evaluation and management. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2008 Sep. 16 (9):506-18. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Krukhaug Y, Mølster A, Rodt A, Strand T. Lateral ligament injuries of the knee. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 1998. 6(1):21-5. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Chernchujit B, Anilabol P, Malonzo VNF. Percutaneous lateral collateral ligament reconstruction. Arthrosc Tech. 2020 Oct. 9 (10):e1577-e1580. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Bahk MS, Cosgarea AJ. Physical examination and imaging of the lateral collateral ligament and posterolateral corner of the knee. Sports Med Arthrosc. 2006 Mar. 14(1):12-9. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Beall DP, Googe JD, Moss JT, et al. Magnetic resonance imaging of the collateral ligaments and the anatomic quadrants of the knee. Magn Reson Imaging Clin N Am. 2007 Feb. 15(1):53-72. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Bolog N, Hodler J. MR imaging of the posterolateral corner of the knee. Skeletal Radiol. 2007 Aug. 36(8):715-28. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Coobs BR, LaPrade RF, Griffith CJ, Nelson BJ. Biomechanical analysis of an isolated fibular (lateral) collateral ligament reconstruction using an autogenous semitendinosus graft. Am J Sports Med. 2007 Sep. 35(9):1521-7. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Johnson D. Management of the multi-ligament injured knee. Paper presented at: Biannual Congress of International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine; 1999; Washington, DC.
LaPrade RF, Terry GC. Injuries to the posterolateral aspect of the knee. Association of anatomic injury patterns with clinical instability. Am J Sports Med. 1997 Jul-Aug. 25(4):433-8. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Majewski M, Susanne H, Klaus S. Epidemiology of athletic knee injuries: A 10-year study. Knee. 2006 Jun. 13(3):184-8. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Medvecky MJ, Zazulak BT, Hewett TE. A multidisciplinary approach to the evaluation, reconstruction and rehabilitation of the multi-ligament injured athlete. Sports Med. 2007. 37(2):169-87. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Murphy KP, Helgeson MD, Lehman RA Jr. Surgical treatment of acute lateral collateral ligament and posterolateral corner injuries. Sports Med Arthrosc. 2006 Mar. 14(1):23-7. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Noyes FR, Barber-Westin SD. Posterolateral knee reconstruction with an anatomical bone-patellar tendon-bone reconstruction of the fibular collateral ligament. Am J Sports Med. 2007 Feb. 35(2):259-73. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Paletta GA, Warren RF. Knee injuries and Alpine skiing. Treatment and rehabilitation. Sports Med. 1994 Jun. 17(6):411-23. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Ruiz ME, Erickson SJ. Medial and lateral supporting structures of the knee. Normal MR imaging anatomy and pathologic findings. Magn Reson Imaging Clin N Am. 1994 Aug. 2(3):381-99. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

Media Gallery

The medial and lateral collateral ligaments of the knee. Courtesy of Randale Sechrest, MD, CEO, Medical Multimedia Group

of 1

Author

Sherwin SW Ho, MD Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, Section of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Chicago Division of the Biological Sciences, The Pritzker School of Medicine

Sherwin SW Ho, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Arthroscopy Association of North America, Herodicus Society, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine

Disclosure: Received consulting fee from Biomet, Inc. for speaking and teaching; Received grant/research funds from Smith and Nephew for fellowship funding; Received grant/research funds from DJ Ortho for course funding; Received grant/research funds from Athletico Physical Therapy for course, research funding; Received royalty from Biomet, Inc. for consulting.

Coauthor(s)

Benedict F Figuerres, MD Fellow in Orthopedic Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Chicago Division of the Biological Sciences, The Pritzker School of Medicine

Benedict F Figuerres, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, Arthroscopy Association of North America

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Brad C Erikson, DO Consulting Staff, Shelley Family Medical Center

Brad C Erikson, DO is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Family Physicians

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Received salary from Medscape for employment. for: Medscape.

Henry T Goitz, MD Clinical Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine; Academic Chief of Orthopaedic Sports Medicine, Regional Director of Ambulatory Clinic Site, Sports Medicine Institute, Detroit Medical Center

Henry T Goitz, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, Arthroscopy Association of North America, Detroit Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, International Association for Dance Medicine and Science, International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine, Michigan Orthopaedic Society, Michigan State Medical Society, Mid-America Orthopaedic Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Additional Contributors

Leslie Milne, MD Assistant Clinical Instructor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Harvard University School of Medicine

Leslie Milne, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Sports Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Sections Lateral Collateral Knee Ligament Injury
Overview
Presentation
DDx
Workup
Treatment
Medication
Follow-up
References

Lateral Collateral Knee Ligament Injury Follow-up

Return to Play

Prevention

References

Tables

Contributor Information and Disclosures

What would you like to print?