Additional Information

Home Treatments:

When only the LCL or MCL is mildly or moderately injured, recovery can be accomplished with the rest, ice, compression and elevation principle. This requires the affected knee to be rested, preferably at an elevated level above the chest. The knee should be compressed using an elastic bandage and immobilized with a cast or splint. Ice should be applied on the swollen areas 20 minutes at a time, 3-4 times per day for the first three days to reduce the inflammation. Common painkillers or non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs can also prove beneficial.

Professional Medical Treatments:

If the LCL or MCL injury is more severe, surgery may be the best option. The surgery may range from ligament repair and reattachment to the bone or a more complex reconstruction that may include replacing the loose ligament with a tendon graft.

Physical Therapy and Exercises:

Rehabilitation of a LCL or MCL injury will be necessary. This will include recovering the range of motion by using the supine leg raise stretch to gradually go through the entire range of motion of the knee. Severe injuries may initially require progression in water aerobics and passive muscle contraction sessions with a physical therapist.

Exercise Techniques to Prevent Injury:

because tears to the collateral ligaments usually occur from a violent or forceful actions, exercise techniques may not fully prevent this injury from occurring. However, maintaining good strength and flexibility of the tendons and muscles via exercises such as quad sets, hamstring stretches, heel slides, leg raises, leg presses and leg curls will help. brazzers