How long does it take for LCL to heal?
It may take up to eight weeks to fully recover, depending on the grade of your injury. If the lateral collateral ligament was torn where it attaches to the thighbone (femur) or shinbone (tibia), the surgeon will reattach the ligament to the bone using large stitches or a metal bone staple.
How do you treat a strained LCL?
Most LCL injuries can be treated at home with:
- Rest and protecting your knee.
- Ice or a cold pack.
- Wrapping your knee with an elastic bandage (compression).
- Propping up (elevating) your knee.
- Anti-inflammatory medicine.
What is the fastest way to heal an LCL injury?
Can a LCL repair itself?
No specific exercise can help a LCL heal. The ligament will heal on its own, and the main thing to do is to prevent re-injury to the ligament during its healing.
Does LCL heal on its own?
Can an LCL heal itself?
LCL tears rarely need surgery, because the ligament usually heals itself. Surgery is typically only needed when other ligaments or structures of the knee are also injured.
How do I know if my LCL is torn?
Symptoms of LCL injuries include:
- Mild or severe pain.
- Instability or buckling of the knee.
- Swelling along the exterior of the knee.
- Tenderness along the exterior of the knee.
- Numbness or weakness in the foot.
- Locking and catching sensations within the knee joint.
How to recover from a lateral collateral ligament sprain?
What causes a lateral collateral ligament sprain? 1 Rest the knee. A doctor or physical therapist may recommend resting the injured leg as much as possible, especially in the days following the sprain. 2 Apply ice. 3 Try medication. 4 Use a knee support. 5 Try physical therapy.
How long does it take for a Grade 2 ligament sprain to heal?
The rehabilitation guidelines for a grade 2 lateral ligament sprain can be split into 4 phases: Duration: 3 weeks. Aims to reduce pain and swelling, ensure the knee can be fully straightened and bent to 90 degrees. Stop play or competition immediately.
What is the healing time for a sprained knee?
The exact knee sprain healing time in therapy depends on how bad your injury was and your body. Mild knee sprains usually take around 3 to 6 weeks to heal with therapy. Moderate knee sprains take from 8 to 12 weeks to heal.
How long does it take for a MCL sprain to heal?
Recovery time for an MCL or LCL sprain is usually between four to six weeks. This may vary depending on the grade of your MCL or LCL sprain. To make an appointment or learn more about MCL or LCL sprain treatments, contact UPMC Sports Medicine at 1-855-93-SPORT (77678).