What causes a collateral ligament tear?
The most common knee ligament injured is the MCL. Injury usually occurs after a blow to the outside of the knee. A direct hit to the outside of the knee in football or hockey may cause the MCL ligament on the inside of the knee to be injured. The LCL is the least likely of the knee ligaments to be injured. If a LCL injury does occur, it likely happens in a sports match such as football, soccer or wrestling when one player falls onto the inside of another player s leg, the foot of which is planted. Collateral ligaments may also be injured when a person lands badly from a jump, causing the knee to be forced sideways by the weight of the body. What are the symptoms of a collateral ligament tear? When a collateral ligament is torn, the person may feel a pop in the knee and the knee may buckle sideways. If a collateral ligament has been injured, the symptoms include the following: • Pain over the injured ligament. • Mild to moderate swelling. • Bruising. • Limited range of motion. • Feeling
