how do you treat a sprained lcl

Treatment options for LCL Sprain include:

• Physical Therapy.
• Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation (RICE)
• NSAIDS (ibuprofen, motrin, naproxen, etc.)
• Cortisone injection.
• PRP injections.

Full Answer

What are the treatment options for LCL injuries?

The treatment options for LCL injuries will depend on the severity of the injury and your lifestyle. For minor injuries, treatment may include: For more severe injuries, treatment may also include physical therapy, rehabilitation, or surgery. Physical therapy strengthens and helps you regain range of motion.

What are the best exercises for a LCL sprain?

LCL sprain exercises. Exercises for rehabilitation of lateral knee ligament sprains should include mobility, stretching, strengthening, proprioception and eventually sports specific exercises. Initially, isometric or static strengthening exercises are done. These progress to dynamic knee exercises involving movement.

What is a LCL sprain of the knee?

Lateral Knee Ligament Sprain (LCL) A lateral ligament sprain is a knee injury involving a tear to the ligament on the outside of the knee. It most commonly occurs following a direct blow to the inside of the knee. However, it can develop gradually through overuse.

How do you assess an LCL sprain?

Assessment & diagnosis of LCL sprains. The varus stress test is used to help diagnose injury to the lateral knee ligament by putting it under stress or tension. The therapist takes hold of the limb, ensuring the knee is slightly bent (approx 30 degrees).

How long does it take for a sprained LCL to heal?

For severe Grade III MCL and LCL sprains, doctors may perform surgery to repair the torn knee ligaments. Recovery time for an MCL or LCL sprain is usually between four to six weeks.

How do you tell if LCL is torn or sprained?

To diagnose an LCL injury, your doctor will examine your knee and look for swelling. They'll also move your knee in various directions to determine where your pain is and how severe your symptoms are. If your doctor believes you may have a torn ligament, you may undergo imaging tests like X-rays or MRI scans.

Can you walk on a sprained LCL?

Will LCL tears affect how I walk? For a while, you'll have to use crutches or a knee brace. Your healthcare provider will tell you how long you need to wait before putting weight on your knee. You'll be back to walking normally after your LCL tear heals.

What is the fastest way to heal an LCL injury?

Most LCL injuries can be treated at home with:Rest and protecting your knee.Ice or a cold pack.Wrapping your knee with an elastic bandage (compression).Propping up (elevating) your knee.Anti-inflammatory medicine.

What does a pulled LCL feel like?

The symptoms of an LCL injury are similar to other ligament injuries. You may experience pain and tenderness along the outside of the knee, along with swelling. Some people also describe a feeling of instability in their knee when walking, as if the knee may give out, lock or catch.

Can an LCL heal itself?

Surgical Treatment LCL tears rarely need surgery, because the ligament usually heals itself. Surgery is typically only needed when other ligaments or structures of the knee are also injured.

What are 4 symptoms of a LCL injury?

Symptoms of LCL (Lateral Collateral Ligament) TearsPain along the outside of the knee. This can be mild to severe depending on the severity of the tear.Tenderness. ... Swelling along the outside of the knee. ... Decreased range of motion. ... Knee catching or locking. ... Bruising. ... Trouble bearing weight. ... Foot numbness.

Is an LCL tear worse than ACL?

The quick answer is that the ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) is most likely to be considered the worst ligament in the knee to tear.

Do knee braces help LCL?

The knee brace provides extra lateral stability to support lateral collateral ligament damage through the joint splints on the side. The gel support massages the tendon muscles to improve recovery.

How do you wrap a knee with LCL injury?

0:172:14Lateral Knee Ligament Strapping/Taping - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd we use elastic adhesive bandage to do that with no tension on it as as always so that we don't.MoreAnd we use elastic adhesive bandage to do that with no tension on it as as always so that we don't. So it doesn't get too tight when when you start to use the muscles and trap the muscle.

How do you test for LCL?

0:392:06Varus Stress Test of the Knee Lateral Collateral Ligament - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWith the other hands on the medial side of the femur. Apply lateral rotation in the knee joint. AndMoreWith the other hands on the medial side of the femur. Apply lateral rotation in the knee joint. And perform passive adduction in the knee joints to put stress on the lateral collateral ligament.

How is a torn LCL diagnosed?

While most LCL tears can be diagnosed without medical imaging, a doctor may order an x-ray or MRI to rule out other possible injuries and to determine the severity of an LCL tear. X-ray. An x-ray shows bones and can help determine if there is a fracture.

Where does an LCL injury hurt?

People with knee lateral collateral ligament (LCL) injuries often report a combination of the following symptoms: Pain along the outside of the knee. This can be mild to severe depending on the severity of the tear.

How do you check for a torn ligament in your knee?

How is a knee ligament injury diagnosed?X-ray. A diagnostic test that uses invisible electromagnetic energy beams to produce images of internal tissues, bones, and organs onto film to rule out an injury to bone instead of, or in addition to, a ligament injury.Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). ... Arthroscopy.

How to treat a LCL injury?

The treatment options for LCL injuries will depend on the severity of the injury and your lifestyle. For minor injuries , treatment may include: splinting. applying ice. elevating the knee above the heart. taking a pain reliever. limiting physical activity until the pain and swelling are gone.

How to diagnose a torn LCL?

If your doctor believes you may have a torn ligament, you may undergo imaging tests like X-rays or MRI scans.

What is the ligament that connects the knee to the bone?

The lateral collateral ligament (LCL) is the ligament located in the knee joint. Ligaments are thick, strong bands of tissue that connect bone to bone. The LCL runs along the outside of the knee joint, from the outside of the bottom of the thighbone ( femur) to the top of the lower-leg bone ( fibula ). The LCL helps keep the knee joint stable, especially the outer aspect of the joint.

How to prevent knee ligament injury?

It’s difficult to prevent knee ligament injuries because they’re often a result of an accident or unforeseen circumstance. However, several preventive measures can help minimize the risk of a knee ligament injury, including: 1 using proper technique and alignment when doing physical activities, including walking 2 stretching regularly to maintain good range of motion in the body 3 strengthening the muscles of the upper and lower legs to help stabilize the joint 4 using caution when playing sports where knee injuries are common, such as soccer and football

What is the most commonly injured ligament in the knee?

According to Orthogate, the LCL is one of the more commonly injured ligaments in the knee. Because of the location of the LCL, it’s common to injure the LCL along with other ligaments in the knee.

What is the LCL?

According to Orthogate, the LCL is one of the more commonly injured ligaments in the knee.

How to tell if you have a partial tear of ligament?

For a partial tear or complete tear of the ligament, your symptoms may include: swelling of the knee (especially the outer aspect) stiffness of the knee joint that can cause locking of the knee. pain or soreness on the outside of the knee. instability of the knee joint (feeling like it’s going to give out)

How to recover from a LCL injury?

When doing a hip flexion exercise, start by lying on your back. Bend the knee of your healthy leg and extend the injured leg out in front of you.

How to help a LCL?

Lift the injured leg until it hovers about five inches off the floor. Hold for 5-10 seconds, then relax. #3. Hip Abduction and Adduction. Hip abduction and adduction exercises will help strengthen the hips and inner thigh muscles to better support the LCL.

How to speed up recovery from knee sprain?

In addition to performing these exercises, there are some other knee sprain treatment steps you can take to speed up the recovery process. The following are all great to add to your routine while you let your LCL heal: Spend plenty of time resting and icing the injury.

How to do quadriceps sets?

To do quadriceps sets correctly, extend your legs in front of you, flex your feet, and contract your quadriceps. Hold for 10 seconds, then relax.

What percentage of knee ligament injuries are lateral collateral ligament sprains?

In fact, they only account for approximately two percent of all knee ligament injuries.

What is a grade 1 sprain?

LCL sprains, like other ligament injuries, can be broken down into the following three categories: Grade 1: A grade 1 injury involves a small number of stretched ligament fibers, but no tearing. Grade 2: A grade 2 injury involves partial tearing of the ligament fibers.

What is grade 3 injury?

Grade 3: A grade 3 injury occurs when all or nearly all of the ligament fibers are completely ruptured

How to treat a LCL injury?

Most LCL injuries can be treated at home with: 1 Rest and protecting your knee. 2 Ice or a cold pack. 3 Wrapping your knee with an elastic bandage (compression). 4 Propping up (elevating) your knee. 5 Anti-inflammatory medicine.

What to do if you have a swollen knee?

He or she may also suggest that you wear a brace that protects and supports the knee but allows for some movement.

How long does it take to recover from a knee injury?

Many people are able to be active again after about 3 to 4 weeks.

Can you have surgery for a tear in your knee?

A severe tear may need surgery. But this usually isn't done unless you also injure other parts of your knee, such as the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or meniscus. Your treatment will depend on how severe your injury is and whether other parts of your knee are injured. Mild or grade 1.

How to tell if you have a LCL sprain?

Symptoms of an LCL sprain 1 The main symptoms of a lateral collateral ligament sprain (LCL sprain) is pain on the outside of the knee. 2 Pain can vary from being very mild to a complete rupture of the ligament. 3 You may have swelling over the outside of the joint.

What is the most common injury to the LCL?

The LCL is most commonly injured in sports by a direct impact to the inner surface of the knee joint, such as by a rugby or a football tackle. A lateral ligament sprain is less common than those affecting the medial collateral ligament which commonly occurs as a result of trauma to the outside of the knee. The ligament is not connected ...

How to tell if a lateral ligament is sprained?

Grade 1 lateral ligament sprain symptoms include tenderness on the outside of the knee over the ligament. Usually, there will be little or no swelling. When the knee is bent to 30 degrees and force applied to the inside of the knee which puts the ligament under stress, pain is felt but there is no joint laxity. This is known as the varus stress test.

What are the symptoms of a lateral collateral ligament sprain?

Symptoms of an LCL sprain. The main symptoms of a lateral collateral ligament sprain (LCL sprain) is pain on the outside of the knee. Pain can vary from being very mild to a complete rupture of the ligament. You may have swelling over the outside of the joint. Lateral ligament sprains are categorized into grade 1, grade 2 or grade 3 sprains, ...

What does grade 2 mean in a sprain?

Grade 2. With a grade 2 LCL sprain, you will have significant tenderness on the outside of your knee, over the lateral ligament. You will likely have some swelling. A varus stress test will indicate pain and some laxity in your joint, although there is a definite endpoint indicating the ligament is still intact.

Why do they use lateral knee strapping?

They may use lateral knee ligament strapping and taping to protect and support your knee whilst it is healing.

What is grade 3 sprain surgery?

Surgery. In grade 3 sprains, particularly when other structures such as an ACL tear or PCL tear are damaged, surgery may be needed to prevent future instability. This may involve suturing or stitching the torn ends of the LCL or reconstructing the ligament with a part of a tendon e.g. hamstrings tendon.

How to treat a LCL tear?

Treatment depends on the extent of injury. Severe LCL tears, which often happen along with other knee damage, may require surgery, followed by physical therapy. Less severe injuries usually respond to physical therapy alone.

What to do if your LCL isn't healing?

Once pain and swelling have subsided, you should be able to begin exercises to restore strength and normal range of motion. If your torn LCL doesn't heal sufficiently, you may experience instability in the joint, making it susceptible to reinjury.

How long does it take to heal a torn LCL?

Surgery to treat a torn LCL usually calls for general anesthesia and takes one to two hours, though it may take longer if other knee injuries – such as a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament – also require surgical treatment. The surgeon makes an incision on the outside of the knee to gain access to the torn ligament.

How long after knee surgery can you use crutches?

You'll generally be using crutches and a knee brace for six weeks after surgery. Rehabilitation plans vary according to the specific injury and surgical procedure, though a full return to sports is generally achieved nine to 12 months after surgery. UCSF Health medical specialists have reviewed this information.

Can collateral ligaments be avoided?

Although collateral ligament injuries can be difficult to avoid, here are several steps you can take to improve the strength and flexibility of your knees.

Can you have surgery on a severe injury?

Although severe injuries often require surgery, lesser damage usually responds well to nonsurgical treatment. Recovery time depends on the injury's severity.

What does it mean when your LCL is sprained?

If the LCL is sprained, this means it is stretched, partially torn or in rare cases completely ruptured. Support strips of tape are applied along the length of the injured ligament to ‘reinforce’ it. The support strips help prevent sideways movement of the knee joint, which would put stress on the LCL and as a result prevent healing.

What is the purpose of a lateral knee sprain tap?

Aim of LCL sprain taping. The aim of taping for a lateral knee ligament sprain is to provide support and protection to the injured ligament. The LCL is a narrow ligament which connects the femur (thigh bone) to the fibula on the outside of the knee.

Why do you need lateral knee ligament taping?

If you have had badly torn or stretched ligaments in the past then lateral knee ligament taping provides extra support and stability to the joint, in the same way a highed knee brace would.

What is LCL taping?

LCL Sprain Taping. LCL sprain taping helps protect the lateral ligament following a lateral knee ligament sprain. It can be used during treatment and rehabilitation phase, but also when returning to normal training.

What is hinged knee brace?

Hinged knee braces are knee supports with solid metal stips down the side, which are hinged in the middle. It provides a high degree of support (less than good taping), for a longer period of time.

How long does it take for a LCL tear to heal?

Athletes are more likely to tear it, causing a lot of pain and other symptoms. LCL tears usually heal after three to 12 weeks, depending on severity. You have to take care of yourself, though. Use crutches, ice your knee and follow your healthcare provider’s instructions.

How to support ligaments in knee?

Support your ligaments by wearing a knee brace when you’re playing sports.

What is the ligament that connects the knee to the thigh?

A lateral collateral ligament (LCL) tear is a knee injury that causes pain, swelling and bruising. Your LCL is a band of tissue located on the outside of your knee (the side that faces away from your body). This tissue connects your lower leg bones to your thigh bone. It stops your knee from bending outward abnormally.

How long does it take for a grade 3 knee injury to heal?

Grade 3: Knee injuries are severe. Your LCL is separated or torn completely and may take eight to 12 weeks to heal. You’ll use a hinged brace for several months. Your healthcare provider might recommend surgery.

How long does it take to recover from a grade 2 knee injury?

You have a partial tear in your LCL. For a grade 2 injury, you’ll need to use crutches and then a hinged knee brace. Recovery will take about eight to 12 weeks.

How to get rid of a swollen knee?

Apply ice. Put an ice pack or cold pack on your knee for about 10-20 minutes. Repeat this every one to two hours for the first three days. Make sure you have some sort of cloth between the ice and your skin.

How to compress knees?

Compress your knee by wrapping it with an elastic bandage.

What is the best way to care for a sprain?

For immediate self-care of a sprain, try the R.I.C.E. approach — rest, ice, compression, elevation:

How long does it take to recover from a sprain?

Recovery from sprains can take days to months. A physical therapist can help you to maximize stability and strength of the injured joint or limb.

How to reduce swelling in the heart?

Elevation. Elevate the injured area above the level of your heart, especially at night, which allows gravity to help reduce swelling. Over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) also can be helpful.

Symptoms of An Lcl Sprain

Anatomy

Causes

Treatment

Lcl Sprain Exercises & Rehabilitation

• Exercises for rehabilitation of lateral knee ligament sprains should include mobility, stretching, strengthening, proprioception, and eventually sports-specific exercises. Initially, isometric or static strengthening exercises are done. These progress to dynamic knee exercises involving movement. Proprioception exercises involve balance and coordin...

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Surgery

References & Research