Abstract
The lateral collateral ligament (LCL) is one of many structures on the lateral aspect of the knee, known as the posterolateral corner. The LCL functions to resist varus forces at the knee and external rotation of the tibia. Athletes who participate in tennis and gymnastics have been shown to have the highest risk of LCL injuries. The most common mechanism of injury is a varus directed force on the anteromedial aspect, with isolated LCL injuries being uncommon. The varus stress test will be positive at 30 ° knee flexion in LCL injuries. A positive varus stress test at full extension and a positive dial test are positive in patients with associated posterolateral corner injuries. MRI is the benchmark imaging study to evaluate LCL and posterolateral corner injuries. Grade I and II injuries to the LCL can be managed non-surgically with early immobilization, while grade III injuries should be treated with either repair or reconstruction.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
James EW, LaPrade CM, LaPrade RF. Anatomy and biomechanics of the lateral side of the knee and surgical implications. Sports Med Arthrosc Rev. 2015;23(1):2–9.
LaPrade RF, Ly TV, Wentorf FA, Engebretsen L. The posterolateral attachments of the knee: a quantitative and qualitative morphologic analysis of the fibular collateral ligament, popliteus tendon, popliteofibular ligament, and lateral gastrocnemius tendon. Am J Sports Med. 2003;31:854–60.
Song Y, Watanabe K, Hogan E, D’Antoni AV, Dilandro AC, Apaydin N, et al. The fibular collateral ligament of the knee: a detailed review. Clin Anat. 2014;27(5):789–97.
Grawe B, Schroeder AJ, Kakazu R, Messer MS. Lateral collateral ligament injury about the knee: anatomy, evaluation and management. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2018;26(6):e120–7.
Bushnell BD, Bitting SS, Crain JM, Boublik M, Schlegel TF. Treatment of magnetic resonance imaging-documented isolated grade III lateral collateral ligament injuries in National Football League athletes. Am J Sports Med. 2010;38(1):86–91.
Majewski M, Susanne H, Klaus S. Epidemiology of athletic knee injuries: a 10-year-study. Knee. 2006;13(3):184–8.
Chahla J, Moatshe G, Dean CS, LaPrade RF. Posterolateral corner of the knee: current concepts. Arch Bone Jt Surg. 2016;4(2):97–103.
Sikka RS, Dhami R, Dunlay R, Boyd JL. Isolated fibular collateral ligament injuries in athletes. Sports Med Arthrosc Rev. 2015;23(1):17–21.
Kannus P. Nonoperative treatment of Grade II and III sprains of the lateral ligament compartment of the knee. Am J Sports Med. 1989;17(1):83–8.
Krukhaug Y, Molster A, Rodt A, Strand T. Lateral ligament injuries of the knee. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 1998;6(1):21–5.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2021 Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Jain, R.K. (2021). Lateral Collateral Ligament Injury. In: Coleman, N. (eds) Common Pediatric Knee Injuries. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-55870-3_25
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-55870-3_25
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-55869-7
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-55870-3
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)