< Knee

Medial (MCL) and Lateral (LCL) Collateral Ligament Tears

The collateral ligaments are located on the outside of the knee and include the medial collateral ligament, or MCL, and the lateral collateral ligament, or LCL. These ligaments stabilize the knee during side-to-side motion.

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What are MCL and LCL Tears?

Causes, Symptoms, and Diagnosis

The knee is one of the most common joints to develop arthritis. When cartilage in the knee joint wears away, it leads to knee pain and stiffness. Because the knee supports much of the body’s weight, symptoms of knee arthritis get worse when standing and putting pressure on the knees.

Medial (MCL) and Lateral (LCL) Collateral Ligament Tears: Overview
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MCL and LCL Tear Treatment

With and Without Surgery

Avoiding repeated and high-impact activities helps reduce stress at the knee joint. Physical therapy and pain-relieving methods can also help manage symptoms. In ongoing cases of knee arthritis where pain interferes with daily life, surgery may be considered.

Medial (MCL) and Lateral (LCL) Collateral Ligament Tears: Treatment Options
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MCL and LCL Tear Surgery

Surgical Animation

When nonsurgical management does not provide effective pain relief for knee arthritis, a knee replacement is the recommended surgical option. This surgery replaces the ends of the bones of the knee joint with metal and plastic implants, which allows the knee joint to move better with less pain. Part or all of the knee joint can be replaced, depending on the location of the arthritis and other factors.

Medial (MCL) and Lateral (LCL) Collateral Ligament Tears: MCL Repair With Suture Augmentation
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