Knee

What It Is

Tears of the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) are usually caused by a blow or force to the inside of the knee. This pushes the knee outwards and stretches the ligament on the outside further than it is meant to go, which causes the LCL to tear (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.). Collateral ligament injuries are more likely in sports with a lot of stopping, turning and cutting, such as skiing, basketball, soccer and football, and in high-contact sports such as hockey (MedlinePlus, 2025; American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.).

Ligament ruptures are full tears through the whole of the ligament, so that the ligament is no longer joined together – it has been torn in two or pulled off the bone. An LCL rupture is also called a Grade III tear (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.).

This is a significant knee injury and may require surgery. Rehabilitation can be long as well, and after a ligament rupture the normal stability of the knee can be affected. LCL injuries usually happen because there has been significant trauma to the knee, and other structures, such as the cruciate ligaments, are often damaged as well. It is unusual to see an LCL rupture on its own (Abu-Mukh et al., 2025).

Knee Lateral Collateral Ligament Rupture Anatomy

The knee is one of the biggest and most complex of all joints found in the body. It joins the shin bone and the thigh bone together. The kneecap (patella) is the third bone of the knee joint. The fibula, the thinner bone running alongside the tibia, sits just below the outer side of the knee but is not part of the knee joint itself. Tendons keep the leg muscles and knee bones connected to enable the knee joint to move. Ligaments join all of the knee bones and deliver stability to the knee.

Collateral ligaments are found on either side of the knee. The medial ligament connects the tibia to the femur, while the lateral ligament connects the fibula to the femur. Collateral ligaments control movement of the knee sideways and brace it against any unusual movements (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.).

The anterior cruciate ligament is the one that prevents the femur from sliding backward along the tibia. The medial and lateral collateral ligaments make sure the femur doesn't slide from one side to the other. It is the posterior cruciate ligament that prevents the femur from sliding forward along the tibia.

Not a diagnosis — for more information, contact me or another trusted healthcare provider.

Treatment

Self-Care & Treatment

How to Treat a Knee Lateral Collateral Ligament Rupture

Therapy is vital whether the LCL is fully ruptured or just sprained (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.). Working within your doctor's or surgeon's plan, I can help keep your knee moving and rebuild the strength of the muscles around it. See the My Approach tab for how I work.

1. Ice and Rest

Ice can help to reduce pain and swelling. Wrap the ice in a clean cloth (never put it directly on your skin) and apply it to the knee for 20 minutes at a time, 3 to 4 times a day. Raising the leg above the level of your heart and using an elastic bandage or compression wrap can also help (MedlinePlus, 2025). Do not put all of your weight on the leg if it hurts, and check with your doctor how much weight you can put through it – you may be given crutches (MedlinePlus, 2025).

2. Medication

MedlinePlus (2025) says that anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen or naproxen can help reduce pain and swelling after a collateral ligament injury, and that paracetamol (called acetaminophen in the US) helps with pain but not swelling. It advises talking to your doctor before using these medicines if you have heart disease, high blood pressure or kidney disease, or have had stomach ulcers or internal bleeding (MedlinePlus, 2025). (This medicine information comes from MedlinePlus, not from me. Always check with a pharmacist or your family doctor or nurse practitioner before taking any medicine.) If you have surgery, follow the pain relief advice from your surgical team.

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor, nurse practitioner or surgeon

Options outside my scope

Surgery: an operation may be recommended if the ligament has pulled off the bone or if other parts of the knee are injured too. Depending on the damage, the ligament may be repaired, or reconstructed using a tendon or other tissue (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.; Abu-Mukh et al., 2025).

How I can help (see the My Approach tab)

Easing the areas that work overtime while you're on crutches or in a brace
Hands-on work and exercises to keep your knee moving
Strengthening for the muscles around your hips and knees

Tips

Weak lower-body strength is a risk factor for collateral ligament injuries, so keeping the muscles around your hips and knees strong may help (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.).
When skiing, make sure your ski bindings are properly set so your skis will release when you fall.
Only return to your previous activity levels with my guidance. Once you have regained your range of motion and strength, your doctor may allow a gradual return to sport (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.).
Depending on how severe the injury was, your doctor may suggest wearing a knee brace when playing sport to protect the knee from another injury (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.). I can help you work out what kind of brace you need and how to get it, and point you to a specialist if you need a custom brace.
Recovery can take a long time, especially after surgery, so take things slowly to prevent further injury to the knee.

Treatment

My Approach

An LCL rupture is a significant knee injury, and your doctor or surgeon decides whether you need surgery, how much weight the leg can take and whether you wear a brace. I work inside those limits, alongside any physiotherapy. A suspected rupture needs a doctor's check first, because other parts of the knee are often injured too, and after surgery I need your surgeon's okay before any hands-on treatment.

Early On

Easing the other leg, hips and low back, and your shoulders if you're on crutches
Gentle lymphatic drainage above the knee for swelling
Gentle thigh-tightening, hip and ankle exercises, as your team allows
Setting up crutches and practising walking with them

As It Heals

Hands-on work for the thigh, hamstrings and calf, with gentle work along the outer knee rather than cross-fibre frictions over a repair
Scar work once any wound has healed
Restoring knee movement within your cleared range, never forced
Strength for the hips, thighs and calves, building to balance, gym work and later turning and cutting drills

If you lose feeling in your foot, or your foot or leg feels cold or changes colour, call 911 or go to the emergency room.

What to Expect

Typical Course

Typical course: Most people come once or twice a week at first, then weekly, then less often, with a reassessment at about 4 to 6 weeks. Recovery usually takes several months, longer after surgery, and your return to sport follows your medical team's plan.

What I Focus On

Working Within Your Team's Limits

Compensation Relief

Swelling & Scar Care

Knee Mobility

Hip & Leg Strength

Please read

When to See a Doctor First

When to get help

If you lose feeling in your foot, or your foot or leg feels cold or changes colour, call 911 or go to the emergency room at your nearest hospital.
Contact your doctor if the swelling or pain increases, or self-care does not seem to help.
If you have had surgery, contact your surgeon if you have a fever of 38°C (100°F) or higher, fluid draining from the wounds, or bleeding that won't stop.

(MedlinePlus, 2025)

Sources

References

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (n.d.) Collateral ligament injuries. OrthoInfo. Available at: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/collateral-ligament-injuries/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
MedlinePlus (2025) Collateral ligament (CL) injury - aftercare. Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000671.htm (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
Abu-Mukh, A., Lee, S., Rhim, H.C. et al. (2025) 'Exploring the posterolateral corner of the knee joint: a detailed review of recent literature', Journal of Clinical Medicine, 14(5), p. 1549. doi: 10.3390/jcm14051549

Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooKnee Lateral Collateral Ligament Rupture

What It Is

Knee Lateral Collateral Ligament Rupture Anatomy

Self-Care & Treatment

How to Treat a Knee Lateral Collateral Ligament Rupture

1. Ice and Rest

2. Medication

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor, nurse practitioner or surgeon

Tips

My Approach

Early On

As It Heals

Typical Course

When to See a Doctor First

When to get help

References

Related Conditions

Book a session

Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooKnee Lateral Collateral Ligament Rupture

What It Is

Knee Lateral Collateral Ligament Rupture Anatomy

Self-Care & Treatment

How to Treat a Knee Lateral Collateral Ligament Rupture

1. Ice and Rest

2. Medication

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor, nurse practitioner or surgeon

Tips

My Approach

Early On

As It Heals

Typical Course

When to See a Doctor First

When to get help

References

Related Conditions

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Rupture and Reconstruction

Baker's Cyst

Blount's Disease

Bowed Legs

Book a session