{"id":216,"date":"2026-07-22T11:35:41","date_gmt":"2026-07-22T08:35:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/medicinepark.ro\/en\/conditions\/lcl-injury\/"},"modified":"2026-07-22T11:36:55","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T08:36:55","slug":"lcl-injury","status":"publish","type":"afectiuni","link":"https:\/\/medicinepark.ro\/en\/conditions\/lcl-injury\/","title":{"rendered":"LCL Injury"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pain on the OUTER side of the knee after a blow to the inside or a twist? The lateral collateral ligament (LCL) is injured more rarely than the medial one \u2014 which is exactly why its injuries are more often missed or underestimated, and the posterolateral corner of the knee demands special attention.<\/p>\n

What is an LCL injury?<\/h2>\n

The LCL stabilises the outer knee against varus forces (the knee pushed outward). Isolated injuries are rare; more often the LCL is injured together with posterolateral corner structures or the cruciates \u2014 combinations that change the treatment plan, which is why complete assessment is essential.<\/p>\n

Common symptoms<\/h2>\n

Pain on the outer side of the knee, tenderness along the ligament, local swelling, outward instability on uneven ground and \u2014 with posterolateral corner involvement \u2014 insecurity in extension and hyperextension.<\/p>\n

Common causes<\/h2>\n

Direct blows to the inner knee, hyperextension with twisting, contact-sport injuries and falls forcing the knee outward.<\/p>\n

Can it be treated without surgery?<\/h2>\n

Isolated grades I\u2013II \u2014 yes, with structured rehab: dosed protection, progressive strengthening and proprioception. Grade III and combined injuries (posterolateral, with cruciates) frequently have a surgical indication \u2014 we identify them and refer you promptly, because delayed diagnosis is this region’s classic trap.<\/p>\n

How we treat LCL injuries at Medicine Park<\/h2>\n

Careful assessment of varus stability, the posterolateral corner and associated injuries; then, for conservative cases: protection and early mobility, progressive strengthening focused on the lateral chain and glutes, balance and proprioception, and return by functional criteria. Post-operative: staged rehab with your surgeon. All in English.<\/p>\n

How long does recovery take?<\/h2>\n

Grade I: 2\u20134 weeks. Grade II: 4\u20138 weeks. Grade III\/combined: longer, staged, with strict criteria.<\/p>\n

When to seek help<\/h2>\n

Outer-knee pain after trauma always deserves complete assessment \u2014 “hidden” injuries are most frequent here. Your first assessment at Medicine Park is free.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Outer-side knee pain after trauma? LCL injuries are rarer but trickier \u2014 complete assessment and correct rehab matter. Free assessment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","meta":{"editor_notices":[],"footnotes":""},"regiune":[4],"class_list":["post-216","afectiuni","type-afectiuni","status-publish","hentry","regiune-knee"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/medicinepark.ro\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/afectiuni\/216","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/medicinepark.ro\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/afectiuni"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/medicinepark.ro\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/afectiuni"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/medicinepark.ro\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/afectiuni\/216\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":224,"href":"https:\/\/medicinepark.ro\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/afectiuni\/216\/revisions\/224"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/medicinepark.ro\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=216"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"regiune","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medicinepark.ro\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/regiune?post=216"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}