Outer side view of knee joint showing LCL reconstruction using tendon graft
Treatment of LCL (Knee)
Emergency treatment
Commonly the LCL injury is associated with serious complex knee injury (knee dislocation). Attending Orthopaedic Surgeon will evaluate and treated patient in emergency room. In case of knee dislocation, knee is reduced under anaesthesia and patient is monitored for vascular injury, which may occur immediately after trauma or within 48 hours (vessel block secondary to blood clot).
Lateral collateral ligament does not heal on its own, so mostly needs surgical reconstruction.
Dr. Abhijit Ranaware will examine and suggest diagnostic test like stress x-rays and prepare plan of treatment, depending on number of knee stabilising ligaments damaged.  He will repair and replace all the torn soft tissues contributing Posterolateral corner (anatomical reconstruction) using autografts, sometimes may need to harvest graft from other non- injured leg. Knee Complex injury – (multiple ligament injury) needs treatment from Knee Specialist.
Conventionally combined ligament injury was treated in two stages – LCL ligament was replaced with open surgery in first stage and then after 2 months arthroscopic cruciate ligament reconstruction was done.
Now a days it’s possible to replace LCL and cruciate ligaments in one time (single stage) All the injured ligaments are treated in single operation (open + Arthroscopic). Single stage treatment for multiple knee ligament injuries is usually done in referral centers, as it needs highly skilled team work.  Before surgery Dr. Abhijit Ranaware will discuss in detail about autograft harvest sites and various implant options for multiple ligament reconstruction. Â
Dr. Abhijit Ranaware, Knee and Sports Surgeon in Pune is highly experienced to treat LCL and complex knee ligament injury with single stage, Â minimally invasive surgery technique and helps athletes to returning back to sports activity.
Do you want to know treatment options for LCL tear or complex knee ligament injury?
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Post-operative rehab
After surgery patient is suggested to apply ice, brace is given for initial few weeks and weight bearing on operated leg is delayed for 6 weeks. Patient is discharged from hospital within one or two days depending on complexity of surgery. It is strongly recommended to undergo in-house supervised Physiotherapy. Post-op Physiotherapy is aimed to restore knee movement and strength of muscles which is very important to achieve best results.