MEDIAL COLLATERAL LIGAMENT INJURIES

The medial collateral ligament, or MCL, is a band of tissue connecting our inside femur to our inside tibia. This may be stretched from a blow to the outer part of our knee or a twisting injury. Isolated medial collateral ligament injuries are treated with bracing. A complete MCL tear may require surgery if combined with other ligament injuries.

LATERAL COLLATERAL LIGAMENT INJURIES

The lateral collateral ligament, or LCL, is a band of tissue connecting our outer femur to the fibula. This gets injured from a blow to the inner portion of our knee. Mild sprains are treated with bracing. Complete tears may require surgical treatment.

POSTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT INJURIES

The PCL is a ligament connecting our femur to tibia. This may be injured either from striking our knee on a dashboard or falling on a flexed knee. Usually, this is treated with bracing and rehabilitation. Surgery is reserved only if we continue to have pain and/or instability. When combined with other major ligament injuries, this will require surgical reconstruction.

POSTEROLATERAL CORNER INJURY

A complex of ligaments on the back/outer portion of our knee may be damage with severe injuries. This requires immediate surgical repair if torn completely and may be associated with major nerve damage.