What are 4 symptoms of a LCL injury?
What are 4 symptoms of a LCL injury?
The symptoms of an LCL tear include:
- Pain.
- Swelling.
- Tenderness.
- Bruising.
- An unstable feeling. Your knee might feel like it’s about to give out or buckle or lock up.
What do you do for an LCL injury?
Home care for an LCL injury Put ice on your injured knee. Wrap it in an elastic bandage. Elevate it, and stay off of that leg (you may need crutches until your injury heals). Take NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen.
How long does a LCL injury take to heal?
It may take up to eight weeks to fully recover, depending on the grade of your injury. If the lateral collateral ligament was torn where it attaches to the thighbone (femur) or shinbone (tibia), the surgeon will reattach the ligament to the bone using large stitches or a metal bone staple.
How do you test for an LCL injury?
While most LCL tears can be diagnosed without medical imaging, a doctor may order an x-ray or MRI to rule out other possible injuries and to determine the severity of an LCL tear. X-ray. An x-ray shows bones and can help determine if there is a fracture.
Can LCL heal without surgery?
The good news for LCL injury patients is that the majority of LCL injuries can be treated without surgery. There are numerous effective non-operative treatments that can address the issues and symptoms of LCL injuries. These include: RICE: Rest, icing, compression, and elevation.
Does a Grade 2 LCL tear need surgery?
Surgical Treatment LCL tears rarely need surgery, because the ligament usually heals itself. Surgery is typically only needed when other ligaments or structures of the knee are also injured.
How common is a LCL tear?
Isolated LCL tears are less common than other ligament injuries, such as medial collateral ligament (MCL) or anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears. They are most often seen in athletes and alongside other injuries, such as knee dislocations.
When is LCL surgery necessary?
When the LCL is completely torn or not healing with nonsurgical therapy, you may need surgery to reconstruct the ligament. While some LCL injuries can be treated with anti-inflammatory medications as well as conservative treatments such as rest, ice, compression, and elevation, most people will need surgery.
Are LCL injuries serious?
Symptoms of an LCL injury can be mild or severe, depending on the severity of the sprain or if it’s torn.