OWL: OCOSH Classification/Trauma/Leg Injuries/Knee Injuries/Knee Ligament Injuries/LCL

Collateral Ligament Pathology Knee eMedicine Orthopedics

Michael P Nogalski, MD — 2008-04-04 14:25:52 GMT

The medial and lateral collateral ligaments of the knee are 2 distinct entities, are injured by different mechanisms, and often generate different algorithms for treatment. Treatment of these structures, when the injury is isolated, often is conservative and involves brief protection and functional rehabilitation. In lateral-sided injuries, other structures, such as the entire posterolateral complex, the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), and the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), can be injured as well.
Synonyms and related keywords: medial collateral ligament injuries, MCL injuries, lateral collateral ligament injuries, LCL injuries, posterolateral complex injuries, anterior cruciate ligament injuries, ACL injuries, posterior cruciate ligament injuries, PCL injuries, knee injury, knee injuries
Author: Michael P Nogalski, MD 2004

Lateral Collateral Ligament Wheeless

C.R.Wheeless — 2002-02-04 14:25:52 GMT

- lateral collateral ligament is primary restraint to varus angulation;
- LCL also acts to resist Internal Rotation forces;
- cutting of LCL in combination w/ either anterior or PCL results in large increase in varus opening;
Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics

Medial Collateral and Lateral Collateral Ligament Injury eMedicine PMR

Agranoff & Kaplan — 2008-04-11 14:25:52 GMT

Medial collateral ligament (MCL) and lateral collateral ligament (LCL) injuries of the knee are common. The MCL and LCL provide restraint to valgus and varus angulation of the knee respectively. The MCL has both superficial and deep components. The superficial MCL fibers attach to the medial femoral epicondyle proximally and distally to the medial aspect of the tibia, approximately 4 centimeters distal to the joint line. The deep MCL fibers originate from the medial joint capsule and are attached to the medial meniscus. The LCL is part of a complex of ligaments collectively named the posterolateral corner (PC). The structures in the PC include the LCL, popliteofibular ligament, popliteus ligament, arcuate ligament, short lateral ligament, and posterolateral joint capsule. The LCL is separated from the lateral meniscus by a fat pad.
Pathophysiology: Injuries to the MCL and LCL are caused primarily by valgus and varus stress to the knee joint, respectively. Injuries also can occur to both ligaments with excessive lateral rotation of the knee.
Synonyms and related keywords: medial collateral ligament injury, lateral collateral ligament injury, tibial collateral ligament, fibular collateral ligament, MCL injury, LCL injury
Agranoff & Kaplan 2006