Knee injuries come in all shapes and sizes, from passing aches to long-lasting sprains that can keep you out of commission for months. The first step in any treatment process is learning the difference. While an LCL tear may be less common than closely-related knee sprains, the similarities only make a positive diagnosis that much more crucial. Ensure a full LCL recovery by equipping yourself with the knowledge you need to heal better and faster.
The knee is a complex joint made up of a number of bones, ligaments, and cartilage that help it perform the complex tasks we ask of it. The lateral collateral ligament, or LCL, is one of four major ligaments in the knee. It runs on the outside of the joint.
The LCL plays a major role in knee stability, allowing us to maintain a fluid motion while we walk, run, or jump. The ligament becoming overtaxed or damaged can seriously impair our ability to stay active.
So what is an LCL knee tear? The LCL can become damaged after sudden or excessive force. Just like a rubber band, this stretchy ligament can be torn, either partially or completely. Depending on the percentage of damaged fibers, the injury can be mild or severe.
Grading the Severity of Your LCL Tear
Doctors use a grading system to classify LCL tears. Each successive grade is characterized by a higher percentage of damaged ligament fiber and comes with specific symptoms and recovery needs.
Grade 1
A grade 1 LCL tear means 10% or less of the ligament’s fibers are torn. While still enough to restrict mobility for a few days to a week, a full recovery is possible with careful and consistent at-home treatment.
Grade 2
When between 10% and 90% of the ligament fibers are torn, the injury is classified as a grade 2. Since the severity of grade 2 sprains can vary widely, home care or professional medical attention may be needed. Full recovery can range take from two to six weeks.
Grade 3
A grade 3 LCL tear is a complete rupture of the ligament and comes with significant pain and difficulty moving. Since the LCL does not heal as easily as other ligaments, surgery may be required.
Common Causes of an LCL Tear
LCL tears are less common than other knee injuries, but they still pose a serious risk. These injuries are caused by a blow to the inside of the knee, resulting in stretching or tearing of the LCL on the opposite side. Such a blow could could come from a sharp, sudden turn while walking or from a nasty fall.
While an LCL tear can happen to anyone, older adults are at greater risk. If you have suffered from a previous injury, even if it was decades ago, your risk of tearing your LCL increases dramatically. In addition, our joints weaken with old age and become more susceptible to ligament tears and other injuries.
Older adults are also at greater risk for the sorts of falls that cause LCL tears, especially if they don’t practice proper bathroom safety.
For those who regularly engage in long-distance walks or other sporting activities, improper footwear can lead to LCL tear symptoms and signs. This is why getting the right shoe or insole is so important.
LCL Tear Symptoms
Since the symptoms of LCL tears are shared by a number of other conditions, such as arthritis, the injury can be difficult to identify. Consult your doctor if the following symptoms last more than ten days:
Knee swelling, especially on the outer portion of the joint
Stiffness, impaired motion in the knee, or complete locking of the joint
Pain or soreness in the area
Instability, or inability to rest weight on the leg without a feeling of “giving out”
Symptoms by Grade
Symptoms vary depending on the grade of your LCL tear.
Grade 1 tears come with minor pain and slight stiffness that will dissipate in about a week.
Grade 2 tears mean increased pain and stiffness, as well as a looseness or weakness in the joint. This is due to the failure of the ligament to perform its usual stabilizing function.
Grade 3 tears feature excessive pain and an inability to move or put weight on the affected joint. With tears of this severity, other ligaments or even bones, may have sustained damage, compounding the symptoms.
Diagnosing an LCL Tear
Your doctor will diagnose your injury by examining the area for swelling and by performing an LCL tear test. The test will consist of gently moving the knee in different directions to find the source of the symptoms.
LCL Tear Treatment Options
Even for severe LCL tears, the treatment process begins with immediate attention and continued at-home care. As soon as the injury occurs, begin the RICE protocol—rest, ice, compression, elevation—and consult your doctor as soon as possible. He or she will likely recommend some of the treatment options below.
LCL Stretches
Stretching is a simple, easy way to speed the recovery process and protect yourself against future LCL damage. Work these stretches into your morning routine for noticeable results.
Knee Flexion With Heel Slide
Lie on your back and hook your strong leg around your injured one. Slowly slide your injured heel inward and hold for about 6 seconds. Rest and repeat 8 to 10 times.
Hamstring Set
Place a rolled-up towel under your knee. Tighten your thigh muscle and dig your heel into the ground for 5 seconds. Rest and reat 5 times total.
Short Arc Quad
Place a pillow or bolster under your injured knee while sitting on the floor. The knee should be raised about 6 inches. Slowly straighten the knee, hold for 5 seconds, then release. Repeat 5 times.
Knee Supports
Supporting an LCL tear can keep you active while making the recovery process more manageable. Whether you are looking for a quick, short-term fix or or something that’s safe and reliable during a long recovery, discuss these options with your doctor to determine the best type of support for your injury.
Compression Sleeves
Compression sleeves are sleek, lightweight, and effective, offering stability and support while also compressing the injury to reduce swelling and improve circulation.
Compression sleeves reduce swelling and increase circulation to promote healing and pain relief. ( See Product )
Compression sleeves are a good solution for minor injuries to the LCL. However, more serious LCL tears will require a stronger brace to support the ligament. For those cases, a compression sleeve may be used in conjunction with a brace, especially during rest or after rehab.
Bamboo knee supports protect and stabilize the injured knee, while providing moderate compression to encourage healing. ( See Product )
Wrap around Braces
Similar to compression sleeves, a wraparound brace is easy to slip on and off and provides both support and compression. As always, make sure to look for a brace that fits the injury as well as the correct leg. A proper LCL brace should offer firm support on the outer portion of the knee.
A wraparound brace is fully adjustable, so it will provide the perfect amount of support and compression for your injury. ( See Product )
Hinged Knee Braces
A hinged knee brace offers superior support at the cost of a bulkier fit and increased price. However for more serious LCL tears, they are the best option available.
When searching for the ideal hinged brace, keep in mind that many MCL braces can be used as LCL braces, as well. In these cases, right-leg MCL braces are equivalent to left-leg LCL braces and vice versa.
Casts
A leg cast is reserved for more serious LCL tears. Their advantage is that they offer maximum support and protection, and will ensure a reliable recovery. However, they will also limit movement severely, keeping patients immobile for weeks or months. Your doctor will let you know if a knee cast is necessary in your case.
Professional Help for Your LCL
If your LCL tear is grade 2 or higher, you’ll need professional medical attention. An LCL tear MRI will offer the best insight into the nature of the injury, making treatment more accurate and effective. Often however, a physical will be sufficient to obtain a clear diagnosis.
In grade 3 tears, LCL tear surgery will be performed to restore function to the damaged ligament. The procedure differs depending on the location of the tear—whether in the middle of the ligament or where it meets your knee and leg bones. In most cases, surgery involves stitching or stapling the ligament back together and then giving it time to heal and strengthen.
LCL Tear Recovery Time
How long does a torn LCL take to heal? The answer depends on the severity of the tear and other factors, including age and medical history. A grade 2 LCL tear recovery typically takes between three and eight weeks.
Recovery times for grade 3 sprains depend entirely on the surgical procedure that is performed, but can range from three to nine months. However, with the use of a hinged knee brace, many patients are up and walking in as few as two months.
Hinged knee braces provide the most stabilizing support, making them perfect for severe LCL injuries. ( See Product)
Can you walk with a torn LCL?
Most patients with grade 1 tears and many with grade 2 tears maintain mobility throughout the entire recovery process. While results differ by person, the single largest factor in maintaining mobility is finding the right LCL knee brace or support to keep you on your feet.
The most useful piece of advice for anyone suffering from an LCL tear is to treat their recovery time as a multifaceted process that will take multiple solutions to overcome. Even minor injuries can be minimized by quick response with an ice pack and splint, while more serious injuries benefit from the right knee brace, as recommended by a doctor.
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