
LCL
or Lateral Collateral
Ligament is
situated on
the outside
of the knee.
The LCL ligament
links the thigh
bone and the
shin bone. Injury
to this ligament
is usually known
as a knee sprain
and occurs due
to the knee
being excessively
twisted during
a game.
LCL
injuries are
characterized
as 1st, 2nd
and 3rd degree
injuries depending
on the level
of damage to
the ligament.
•
1st degree sprains
signify damage
to minimal ligament
fibres.
• 2nd
degree sprains
refers to damage
to a much larger
group of ligament
fibres but the
ligament is
still intact
and not ruptured.
• 3rd
degree sprains
entail a ruptured
LCL ligament.
LCL
Injuries are
common among
athletes involved
in contact sports
such as rugby,
when the opponent
applies force
to the inner
part of the
legs just below
the knee.
The
force applied
to the inside
part of the
knee joint may
rupture the
ligament. Severe
cases will involve
rupture to the
Anterior Cruciate
Ligament and
the Posterior
Cruciate Ligament.
How Do We Know
its LCL Knee
Ligament Injury?
In
1st degree sprains
the player will
complain of
pain when the
knee is touched
which will be
increased when
the player stands
up from a sitting
position.
In
2nd degree sprains,
the player will
complain of
more intense
pain but there
may not be visible
swelling of
the knee.
3rd
degree sprains
occur when the
ligament is
totally ruptured
and the player
will complain
of excruciating
pain and knee
joint will be
less stabilized.
How
Do We Treat
LCL Knee Ligament
Injury?
PRICE
or protection,
rest, ice, compression
and elevation
should provide
the immediate
care plan for
an LCL injury.
However, ice
should not be
applied directly
to the skin
as it may cause
an ice burn
which is why
a reusable cold
pack is ideal.
Pain killing
medications
prescribed by
the doctor may
be necessary
to reduce inflammation
and lessen pain.
Elevation of
the knee is
essential and
a bandage may
be used to compress
the knee to
prevent further
swelling. Knee
braces could
also be a lot
of assistance
in protecting
the knee.
In
1st degree sprains,
rugby and even
jogging should
be stopped for
3 weeks.
A
2nd degree sprain
takes 6-8 weeks
of rehabilitation
under the supervision
of a physiotherapist.
In most cases
a 3rd degree
sprain is treated
with surgery.
The type of
reconstructive
surgery depends
on the position
of the ligament.
How
Do We Prevent
LCL Knee Ligament
Injury?
A
previous knee
injury predisposes
the knee for
LCL knee ligament
injury. However,
there are measures
to prevent the
occurrence of
the injury.
A knee brace
provides knee
stability and
reassures the
knee in activities
that require
walking or running.
A
rehabilitation
program with
a trained physiotherapist
will help. The
treatment regimen
must include
a lot of pro-prioception
exercises since
this kind of
activity is
greatly affected
by the damage
to the ligament.
An excellent
tool for continuing
this kind of
exercise is
a wobble
board, which
is mostly done
at home in continuation
of the treatment
regimen with
a trained physiotherapist.
Rugby
Rescue Recommends
Knee Supports
   
5 Star Rating

Excellent medial
and lateral
support ideal
for footballers.
This wrap around
design knee
brace is suitable
for cases of
knee instability
due to knee
ligament injuries.
How does it
work?
This high quality
knee brace is
lightweight
and comfortable,
with lock-stitch
taped seams
and fully trimmed
edges for durability.
The flexible
spiral stays
and dual criss-cross
elastic straps
create firm
medial and lateral
knee support
which reproduce
the effect of
a tape job to
support the
medial collateral
ligament (MCL)
and lateral
collateral ligament
(LCL) of the
knee.
The upper and
lower Velcro
fasteners act
as 'anchors'
and knee stabilisers
to maintain
maximum support.
This provides
support without
compromising
mobility and
may be more
suitable for
those engaged
in activities
that would be
overly compromised
by a hinged
support.
When
can I use it?
*Extremely
effective in
relieving knee
pain by taking
the stress off
knee ligaments
that may be
injured. *Perfect
for injuries
to the Anterior
Cruciate Ligament
(ACL) or Lateral
Collateral Ligament
(LCL).
*Also provides
knee pain relief
and knee support
following a
Cartilage injury
or when there
is mild Arthritis
in the knee.
*Ideal
knee brace when
you require
good knee support
but maintain
full movement.
Excellent
medial and lateral
support ideal
for footballers.
Multi-tiered,
plush-lined
elastic body
with wraparound
design.

The
Knee sport strap
is designed
to simulate
knee joint strapping
techniques used
to support the
collateral knee
ligaments and
restrict joint
rotation but
still enable
running
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