LCL Tears (Lateral Collateral Ligament)
Outer knee instability requiring precise care.
LCL tears are less common and often happen with other injuries. Complete tears rarely heal on their own due to the anatomy. We assess carefully to see if reconstruction is needed to prevent varus instability.
Symptoms
- Pain on outer knee
- Knee giving way outward
- Numbness (peroneal nerve)
- Swelling
Conservative treatment
- Extension bracing
- Orthobiologic treatment for partial tears
- Gait training
When is surgery needed?
LCL Reconstruction using hamstring autograft is often required for complete ruptures.