Medial and Lateral Collateral Ligament Injury

What Is the Most Common Cause of Injury to the Medial Collateral Ligament?

The medial collateral ligament is more easily injured than the lateral collateral ligament. It is most often caused by a blow to the outer side of the knee, which often happens in contact sports like football or hockey, that stretches and tears the ligament on the inner side of the knee.

What Are the Symptoms of Collateral Ligament Injury? How Is Injury Diagnosed?

When injury to the medial collateral ligament occurs, a person may feel a pop and the knee may buckle sideways. Pain and swelling are common. A thorough examination is essential to determine the nature and extent of injury. To diagnose a collateral ligament injury, the doctor exerts pressure on the side of the knee to determine the degree of pain and looseness of the joint. An MRI is helpful in diagnosing injuries to these ligaments.

How Are Collateral Ligament Injuries Treated?

Most sprains of the collateral ligaments will heal if the patient follows a prescribed exercise program. In addition to exercise, the doctor may recommend that the patient apply ice packs to reduce pain and swelling and wear a small sleeve-type brace to protect and stabilize the knee. A sprain may take 2 to 4 weeks to heal. A severely sprained or torn collateral ligament may be accompanied by a torn anterior cruciate ligament, which usually requires surgical repair.

Each year, Medical College of Wisconsin physicians care for more than 180,000 patients, representing nearly 500,000 patient visits. Medical College physicians practice at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital, the Milwaukee VA Medical Center, and many other hospitals and clinics in Milwaukee and southeastern Wisconsin.