1. Nicole Dunlap and Sam Snyder
MCL and LCL Injuries
Nicole Dunlap and Sam Snyder

2. Anatomy
MCL: Medial Collateral Ligament-located on medial side of knee, connects femur and tibia, also called Tibial Collateral Ligament or TCL
LCL: Lateral Collateral Ligament-located on lateral side of knee, connects femur and fibula, also called Fibular Collateral Ligament or FCL
Function: prevents the leg from overextending inward, controls sideways motion, and stabilizes the knee and allows it to rotate

3. Mechanism
MCL: Injuries commonly occur when struck by a strong force hitting the outside of the knee that causes the MCL, which is on the inside of the knee, to stretch and tear.
LCL: Like the MCL, the LCL can become torn or stretched when a strong force hits the knee but from the inside, causing the LCL on the outside to become damaged.
Also, while running at full speed and quickly changing direction can cause the MCL or LCL to become damaged as well. Sprains and strains are common for both ligaments when they are stretched.

4. Most Commonly Injured in..
Most commonly injured in contact sports by a direct impact to the medial (MCL) or lateral (LCL) sides of the knee
Ex: a rugby or football tackle
MCL injuries are more common than LCL injuries because trauma is more likely to occur to the outside of the knee than the inside

5. Signs & Symptoms
Pain at either side of your knee; for MCL pain is on the inside, for LCL pain is on the outside
Swelling where the direct pain is
Instability: feeling like you can’t walk on it

6. First-Aid PRICE: Protection, Rest, Immobilize, Cold, Elevate
End activity
If you precede to go to the doctors, they will thoroughly examine the injured knee and compare to the non-injured knee and most likely will be able to diagnose, if not, x-rays or MRIs can help with the diagnosis.
The examination will consist of applying a force to the inner surface of the knee and comparing its laxity to the other

7. Recovery/Rehab Non-Surgical:
Ice: For 20 minutes with at least one hour between the next time you apply ice for 20 more minutes
To help stabilize the knee, wear a brace or possibly use crutches if unable to apply weight.
Physical therapy
When range of motion returns, your doctor may allow you to go back to your sport or daily activities
Surgical:
Surgery is very unlikely for MCLs unless the ligament is torn to the point where it cannot heal on its own, LCL tears more commonly require surgery because they take longer to heal
Surgery is typically done as an open procedure in conjunction with arthroscopy, the ligament is then replaced with a tissue graft, the graft passes through bone tunnels and then connects the femur and fibula with screws.

8. Videos MCL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dQS0A9QQpc
Injured MCL
LCL

9. Work Cited https://www.ucsfhealth.org/conditions/mcl_tear/