Before we discuss the causes of an LCL (Lateral Collateral Ligament, sometimes called”the Fibular Collateral Ligament) injury, it is essential to know more about the LCL ligament. The ligaments include four within the knee which link the bone of the lower leg with the femur ( ACL, MCL, LCL, and PCL). Where is the LCL? The LCL ligament is located on the outside edge of the knee. It connects the femur with the smaller foot bone (fibula). The LCL and MCL are collateral ligaments, which means they’re found on both sides of the knee. The LCL is responsible for controlling the side-to-side movement inside the knee.
Because the LCL is not connected to the knee joint or meniscus capsule, it becomes better able to move and is less susceptible to knee injuries.
An LCL injury is frequent in contact sports like soccer as well as soccer. It is important to remember that there are numerous kinds of LCL injuries. For more details on LCL injuries and LCL tears, check out our resources library.
Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) Injuries
The medial collateral ligament (MCL) is among the four ligaments that are essential in ensuring the integrity of knee joints. The MCL extends from the bottom of the thigh bone up to the top of the shin bone. It is located inside the joint. Most often, MCL injuries are caused by contact. Sometimes, something requires a knee to be hit to cause the MCL to rupture. MCL damage is assessed according to an I-III scale, with the higher number being the most serious and requiring more time to recover. No matter the severity of your injury BraceAbility.com provides a knee brace that can help your MCL.
Knee Braces to help LCL Injury Treatment
Since it is the case that LCL has greater flexibility than the other ligaments, The majority of injuries that result from the ligament are simple strains and sprains. An LCL brace for injury is typically sometimes the only treatment required to repair this kind of injury.
When the strain on the LCL is more serious, a popping sound might be heard. The ligament is likely torn if the “popping” noise is heard. However, it is crucial to keep in mind that the “popping” sound could originate from any of the four ligaments within the knee. Suppose you believe you’ve sustained an injury to the knee region, particularly your LCL or any other ligament involved. In that case, you must get medical attention as soon as possible.
Common LCL tear symptoms include:
- Knees can be a red flag when you stand or are under stress.
- Feeling of locking or catching whenever the knee gets moved
- The foot may be weak or numb. foot
- Itchy, aching on the side of your knee (LCL pain)
- Stiffness
- Tenderness and swelling along an outside portion of the knee
LCL pain can range as mild or extreme depending on the extent of the tear.
The LCL Tear Grades
The severity of an LCL tear can be classified into three different grades by the doctor. When the extent of the injury has been identified, a suitable treatment plan is also determined.
Grade 1
A few small tears can be found in the ligament. This type of injury can cause some tenderness and mild discomfort.
Grade 2
The ligament is prone to more giant tears. However, it’s not fully torn. If you sustain this type of injury, there’ll be a noticeable sagging sensation in the knee whenever it is moved. Additionally, there will be significant pain, tenderness and swelling around both sides of your knee.
Grade 3
A tear of grade 3 indicates you have an LCL that is torn. It is also typical to suffer injury to the ligaments around it in this kind of injury. Again, the injured knee may suffer from severe tenderness, pain and swelling on the side of the knee. In this instance, the knee may swell due to the damaged area.
LCL Tear Treatment-Knee Braces to LCL Tears LCL Recovery
If you suffer from a torn LCL, It is essential to seek treatment promptly following the injury to ensure that it gets healed sufficiently. If the ligament is torn and doesn’t heal properly, you will likely suffer from instability in your joint, making your LCL and knee more prone to injury.
If you believe you might have a tear in your knee ligament, check out the ligament tears page to locate the ideal brace.
If you rupture the LCL or MCL, BraceAbility has the right brace. This brace is functional and perfect for people suffering from any LCL injury, but more specifically, one that has torn the LCL. The knee brace for the lateral collateral ligament can be used as an alternative surgery. It’s a knee brace that is functional, which means that one can participate in athletics and exercise when wearing it.
This method of treating LCL tears stands out from other options because its active thigh muscle adapts to changes in muscles throughout its entire range of movement. In addition, the attraction for the hinged LCL knee brace is its low-profile and slim fit, which makes the brace ideal for those who are active.
LCL Braces for injuries to the Football Knee & Post-Surgery
LCL tears are frequent in contact sports and sports requiring rapid direction changes. They can be caused by soccer, football, basketball and downhill skiing. The typical cause of injury is a twisting action during weight bearing (especially after landing from jumping) or an injury to the inner knee, which causes your knee to move in the wrong direction (such when another player is thrown onto the outside of their knee). In rare instances, an LCL tear can develop slowly due to repeated activities that stress the ligament.
If you’re seeking a brace to assist you in returning to the game, look into using the Functional Post-Op Knee Brace. This model is distinct from other mounts due to the active thigh cuff, which adapts to muscle changes and flexibility. Another benefit to this particular brace is that it is a slim and slim fit, which is excellent for playing football. If you’re looking for additional options, look at BraceAbility’s entire range of knee braces post-operatively.