The lateral collateral ligament (lcl) is the ligament running along the outside (lateral side) of the knee joint. See the illustration to the left, and click to zoom.
An lCL tear or sprain is a knee injury that results from damage (tearing, overstretching or complete rupture) to this ligament.
Symptoms of an LCL injury may include knee pain, swelling, stiffness, and instability (in the cases of the most severe damage.) LCL tears or sprains are relatively common injuries among physically active individuals. Treatment of an LCL tear will usually include resting the ligament by keeping as much weight off it as possible, icing, elevation and compression.
The LCL connects the thigh bone to the lower leg bone. Its main function is to keep the knee from bending outward, so LCL injuries tend to be the result of blows to the inside of the knee. They also tend to be caused by sudden changes in the direction of movement. Sports that require lots of stopping and starting can also cause this injury. As a result, LCL tears tend to be associated with sports like football, soccer or basketball. In general, these injuries, like ACL ones, tend to happen to athletes.
The main symptoms of an LCL tear or sprain are:
The supports below may help to reduce the risk of this type of injury. For those who have already experienced the injury, these supports may stabilize the injured ligament. This will help to increase the chances of a full recovery. Please note that the we recommend that you obtain the advice of a physician in choosing an appropriate support.
If your doctor determines that you have suffered an LCL tear or sprain, he or she may recommend that you reduce your activity level, ideally by staying home and keeping weight off your knee.The patient may be asked to consider using crutches when he or she is moving around, in order to further reduce the load on the knee and LCL.
Your doctor may also recommend:
In addition to these measures, your doctor may refer you to a physiotherapist who can compile a list of stretching and range of motion exercises. Following this exercise program during the recovery phase will help to ensure your knee recovers its original function.
The time to recovery from an LCL injury varies depending on the severity of the injury. If the injury is of Grade 1 (mild) severity, regular activity may be resumed in approximately 3-4 weeks. A moderate or Grade 2 injury may require 8-12 weeks to heal. The recovery period from the most severe LCL injury may be similar but only if the patient wears a hinged knee brace for additional knee support. In these cases, surgery may also be necessary to repair the LCL tear. Of course, if there is also damage to other knee ligaments (especially the ACL) that will increase the recovery time.
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Knee ligament protection
The Bio Skin Gladiator uses a rigid hinge to effectively protect knee ligaments, including after reconstruction. The rigid strapping system firmly anchors the Gladiator to the leg, avoiding the need for longer, less comfortable braces. Pins in the hinges may easily be set to limit flexion and/or extension.
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Knee Ligament Protection
The Bio Skin Gladiator – Front Closure uses a rigid hinge to effectively protect knee ligaments, including after reconstruction. The rigid strapping system firmly anchors the Gladiator to the leg, avoiding the need for longer, less comfortable braces. Pins in the hinges may easily be set to limit flexion and/or extension.
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Lightweight and low profile for comfort
Our Bio Skin Hinged Knee Skin is one of the lightest hinged knee braces available. The offset, bicentric hinges conform to the shape of the leg and provide extra support to knees with ligament damage. The Hinged Knee Skin provides excellent compression to control swelling and pain caused from a meniscus tear or an LCL or MCL injury, and to speed up the healing process in a damaged knee joint.
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Structural support for knee instability
Our Bio Skin Hinged Knee Skin – Front Closure is one of the lightest hinged knee braces available. The offset, bicentric hinges conform to the shape of the leg and provide extra support to knees with ligament damage. The Hinged Knee Skin provides excellent compression to control swelling and pain caused from a meniscus tear or an LCL or MCL injury, and to speed up the healing process in a damaged knee joint.
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The McDavid Knee Support With Stays & Cross Straps features reinforced spring steel stays offer enhanced medial-lateral confidence. Also included are elastic cross straps for enhanced compression and added rotational and collateral ligament support. The padded open buttress offers 360˚ support of the patella.
Level 2: Advanced Protection – Moderate support helping to relieve symptoms and aid recovery from chondromalacia, patellar subluxation and tendonitis
