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- MCL tear more common than LCL tear
Mechanism
- valgus force to knee = medial collateral ligament
- varus force to knee = lateral collateral ligament
 | PEARL
partial ligamentous tears are much more painful than complete ligamentous tears |
Clinical Features
- swelling/effusion
- tenderness above and below joint line medially (MCL) or laterally (LCL)
- joint laxity with varus or valgus force to knee
- laxity with endpoint suggests partial tear
- laxity with no endpoint suggests a complete tear
- test for other injuries (e.g. O’Donahue’s triad), common peroneal nerve injury
Treatment
- partial tear: immobilization x 2-4 weeks with early ROM and strengthening
- complete tear or multiple ligamentous injuries: surgical repair of ligament
