Collateral Ligament Pathology Knee eMedicine Orthopedics

Description: 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