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Illustrated Health Encyclopedia
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Ency. home > Injury > L > Lateral collateral ligament (LCL) injury

Lateral collateral ligament (LCL) injury    See images

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

LCL injury; Knee injury - lateral collateral ligament (LCL)

First Aid

Initial treatment of a first degree LCL injury includes ice to the area, elevation of the joint (above the level of the heart), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and limited physical activity until the pain and swelling subside. Physical therapy should be involved to help regain knee and leg strength.

Do Not:

  • weakness of the joint, making it more susceptible to reinjury
  • chronic pain

Call Your Health Care Provider Immediately If:

Call your health care provider if you injure your knee and symptoms of first degree LCL injury occur.

Call your health care provider if you are being treated for a first degree LCL injury and you notice increased instability in your knee, if pain or swelling return after they initially subsided, or if your injury does not appear to be resolving with time.

Also call if you reinjure your knee.

Ency. home > Injury > L > Lateral collateral ligament (LCL) injury

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