Lateral Collateral Ligament sprain (LCL sprain)

The Lateral Collateral Ligament otherwise more commonly referred to as the LCL is the ligament found on the outside of the knee. This important ligament of the knee joins the end of the fibula, which is located on the outside of the tibia (shin bone), and the bottom outside surface of the femur (thigh bone). This ligament stabilizes the outside of the knee joint.

Common symptoms of an LCL stretch or tear include pain and swelling directly over the ligament. Bruising will often appear 1-2 days after the injury occurs. More serious tears or ruptures of the LCL ligament may also make the knee feel unstable or loose.

Causes

An injury to the Lateral Collateral Ligament occurs when there is a stretch, tear, or partial tear to the ligament. A blow to the inside of the knee during any number of contact sports will result in pressure being placed in the inside of the knee joint. This pressure pushing inwards on the knee joint results in stress being placed on the ligament on the outside of the knee joint. This stress causes the stretch or tear.

It is also possible that and injury to the LCL will occur in conjunction with injury to other ligaments in the knee such as the ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament), MCL (Medial Cruciate Ligament), or PCL (Posterior Cruciate Ligament).

Treatment

Like most sprains or tears to a ligament, immediate treatment of the LCL injury includes the application of cold or ice packs to the affected area, and elevation of the knee. It is also important to allow the injured knee to rest.

Hinged knee braces and physiotherapy are the most common treatments for injuries to the ligaments of the knee including the LCL. A common technique used in the treatment of LCL injuries by physiotherapists is ultrasound. Ultrasound is a healing technique that has been in existence around the world for many decades. Ultrasound reduces swelling and pain in the knee. At the same time it also increases the blood supply to the affected area stimulating tissues and increasing the rate of healing.

Pain, scar tissue, lack of mobility and arthritis are some of the more common long term complications from an LCL injury. By speeding up the healing process with ultrasound, less scar tissue is formed, swelling and pain are reduced. For those with existing long term complications, chronic knee pain, and inflammation, ultrasound will help to reduce these and free the individual.

A Black Body Radiant Energy Kit is one of the most helpful tools for a wide varity of painful knee related injuries and conditions. Through the absorption of radiant energy, tissues are safely and gently heated - increasing blood flow within the treated area. Your body's natural response to this increased temperature is to try to maintain a condition of homeostasis - a balanced environment or state of equilibrium throughout the body. To do this, your body responds with a rapid increase in blood flow to the area (this is known as vasodilation), increasing the supply of nutrients to injured cells and flushing out toxins (including lactic acid, commonly found in trigger points) to promote healing. Our Thermotex Knee Pain Relief Device provides effective, non-invasive, non-addictive pain relief with no side effects.

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Ultrasound therapy is also a helpful tool for pain prevention of knee injuires, and having a portable ultrasound device at home can be a powerful and convenient treatment tool. If you have symptoms or are recovering from a knee related injury, using ultrasound on a regular basis before your activity or throughout the day will help relax your muscles, tendons and tissues, diminish pain and inflammation, soften scar tissue and contribute greatly to the healing of your injury.

If you suffer from pain after certain activities or movements use ultrasound therapy when you complete the activity and then rest. Limit the application of ultrasound to a couple of treatments per day (the manual will recommend treatment frequency depending upon the injury). In between ultrasound treatments, maximize your pain relief and injury recovery by using the Thermotex Personal Therapy System. Proven Performance, Proven Relief - only found at MendMeShop.com. If you have been given a treatment plan by your health professional, make sure you adhere to it to ensure pain free living. In general, people who are committed to their therapies and exercises will have the best medical outcomes.