Acute Phase

Rehabilitation program

Physical therapy

Grade I and II injuries can usually be treated nonoperatively.^[4]Knee bracing with the knee locked in full extension is advised. Full weight bearing can be performed with the knee brace in place. The patient should perform knee range of motion exercises in the prone position only. After 4-6 weeks, patients may return to sport-specific therapy, only if strength and range of motion are comparable to the uninjured side.

Surgical intervention

Grade III tears of the LCL involve disruption of the posterolateral corner (PLC) and are best treated with surgical intervention to prevent instability.^{[5, 6]}

Rehabilitation program

Physical therapy

Physical therapy consists of early range-of-motion (ROM) exercises.

Medication

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Media Gallery

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

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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.