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Lateral collateral ligament (LCL) injury - Overview

Alternative Names

LCL injury; Knee injury - lateral collateral ligament (LCL)

Definition of Lateral collateral ligament (LCL) injury:

Lateral collateral ligament (LCL) injury is an injury to the ligament on the outer side of the knee.

It can be a stretch, partial tear, or complete tear of the ligament.

Considerations:

The lateral collateral ligament (LCL) goes from the top part of the fibula (the bone on the outside of the lower leg) to the outside part of the lower thigh bone.

The ligament helps keep the outer side of the knee joint stable.

Causes:

The LCL is usually injured by pressure or an injury that pushes the knee joint from the inside, which results in stress on the outside part of the joint.

Lateral collateral ligament pain

Lateral collateral ligament injury

Lateral collateral ligament

Torn lateral collateral ligament

Reviewed last on: 6/13/2010
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; and C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

De Carlo M, Armstrong B. Rehabilitation of the knee following sports injury. Clin Sports Med. 2010;29:81-106.

Schorfhaar AJ, Mair JJ, Fetzer GB, Wolters BW, LaPrade RF. Knee: Lateral and postereolateral injuries of the knee. In: DeLee JC, Drez D Jr., Miller MD, eds. DeLee and Drez's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2009:chap 23;sect F.

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