How long is recovery for LCL surgery?
LCL reconstruction surgery is performed as an open surgery under general anesthesia, and most patients are able to go home the day of the surgery. Most patients need physical therapy starting four to six weeks after surgery. Typically, it takes six months to recover fully.
How soon can you walk after LCL surgery?
After your surgery, you’ll need to use crutches for about six weeks while the knee heals and “restabilizes.” You can also use ice and elevation to reduce swelling in and around the joint.
Does LCL require surgery?
Lateral collateral ligament tears do not heal as well as medial collateral ligament tears do. Grade 3 lateral collateral ligament tears may require surgery. In some cases, all that is required is rest, wearing a brace, taking pain relievers such as ibuprofen and having physical therapy.
Do you hear a pop when you tear your LCL?
Following an injury to the LCL, common signs and symptoms are a ‘popping’ sound at the time of injury, immediate pain with weight bearing and swelling and a feeling instability.
What happens if you don’t get surgery on a torn LCL?
If an LCL tear is left untreated, the knee may become unstable and prone to further injury over time. That’s why it’s so important to visit the doctor as soon as possible, rather than later, before the injury can take a toll on the surrounding tissue systems.
What torn LCL feels like?
The symptoms of an LCL injury are similar to other ligament injuries. You may experience pain and tenderness along the outside of the knee, along with swelling. Some people also describe a feeling of instability in their knee when walking, as if the knee may give out, lock or catch.
How do I know if I tore my LCL?
Symptoms of LCL (Lateral Collateral Ligament) Tears
- Pain along the outside of the knee. This can be mild to severe depending on the severity of the tear.
- Tenderness.
- Swelling along the outside of the knee.
- Decreased range of motion.
- Knee catching or locking.
- Bruising.
- Trouble bearing weight.
- Foot numbness.
When do you need surgery for the LCL?
The lateral collateral ligament (LCL) is a band that connects the femur to the fibula on the outside of the knee. When the LCL is completely torn or not healing with nonsurgical therapy, you may need surgery to reconstruct the ligament.
How is the reconstruction of a LCL done?
LCL reconstruction surgery is an open procedure, which means the surgeon will make 1 or 2 large incisions on the outside of the knee in order to get a full view of the area. The surgeon will attach the graft to the femur (thighbone) and fibula (lower leg bone) using surgical screws and sutures.
How is a torn LCL repaired in the knee?
The surgeon will reattach the torn ligament to the bone using large sutures (strong medical thread), screws, or staples; LCL repair is typically an open procedure because the LCL is located outside the knee joint and cannot be visualized with an arthroscope (a tiny camera placed in the knee joint).
How long does it take for an LCL to heal?
Sometimes, an LCL injury occurs with another knee injury, like a torn ACL or a torn meniscus. Most people return home the same day as their surgery, but in a few instances, an overnight stay is recommended. After your surgery, you’ll need to use crutches for about six weeks while the knee heals and “restabilizes.”