A ligament is a band of tissue that connects a bone to another bone. The collateral ligaments of the knee are located on the outside of your knee joint, and they help connect the bones of your upper and lower leg, inside your knee joint.

• The lateral collateral ligament (LCL) runs on the outer side of your knee.
• The medial collateral ligament (MCL) runs along the inside of your knee.

A collateral ligament injury occurs when the ligaments are stretched or torn. A partial tear occurs when only part of the ligament is torn and a complete tear occurs when the entire ligament is torn into two pieces.

More About Your Injury

The collateral ligaments help keep your knee stable. They help keep your leg bones in place and keep your knee from moving too far sideways.

A collateral ligament injury can occur if you get hit very hard on the inside or outside of your knee, or when you have a twisting injury.

Skiers and people who play basketball, football, or soccer are more likely to have this type of injury.

What to Expect

With a collateral ligament injury, you may notice:

• Your knee is unstable and can shift side to side as if it "gives way"
• Locking or catching of the knee with movement
• Knee swelling
• Knee pain along the inside or outside of your knee

After examining your knee, the doctor may order these imaging tests:

• An MRI of the knee. An MRI machine takes special pictures of the tissues inside your knee, and the pictures will show whether these tissues have been stretched or torn.
• X-rays to check for damage to the bones in your knee.

If you have a collateral ligament injury, you may need:

• Crutches to walk until the swelling and pain get better
• A brace to support and stabilize your knee
• Physical therapy to help improve joint motion and leg strength

Most people do not need surgery for an MCL injury. However, you may need surgery if your LCL is injured or if your injuries are severe and involve other ligaments in your knee.

Self-care at Home

Follow R.I.C.E. to help reduce pain and swelling:

• Rest your leg. Avoid putting weight on it.
• Ice your knee for 20 minutes at a time, three to four times a day.
• Compress the area by wrapping it with an elastic bandage or compression wrap.
• Elevate your leg by raising it above the level of your heart.

You can use ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn) to reduce pain and swelling. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) helps with pain, but not swelling. You can buy these pain medicines at the store.

• Talk with your doctor before using these medicines if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, or have had stomach ulcers or internal bleeding in the past.
• DO NOT take more than the amount recommended on the bottle or by your doctor.

Activity

You should not put all of your weight on your leg if it hurts, or if your doctor tells you not to. Rest and self-care may be enough to allow the tear to heal. You should use crutches to protect the injured ligament.

A physical therapist (PT) will help you regain knee and leg strength. Your doctor and physical therapist will develop a sport-specific rehabilitation program to return you to your sport safely.

When to Call the Doctor

Call your doctor if:

• You have increased swelling or pain
• Self-care does not seem to help
• You lose feeling in your foot
• Your foot or leg feels cold or changes color

If you have surgery, call the doctor if you have:

• A fever of 100^oF (38^oC) or higher
• Drainage from the incisions
• Bleeding that won't stop

Knee Conditions

• Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)
• Anterior Knee Pain
• Baker Cyst
• Collateral Ligament Injury
• Knee Pain
• Kneecap Dislocation
• Meniscus Tears
• Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL)

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