🎧 FREE MSRA PODCAST – Collateral Ligament Injury: MCL & LCL Explained
In this focused MSRA deep dive, we tackle medial (MCL) and lateral (LCL) collateral ligament injuries of the knee — core MSK content for your exam prep. Learn to spot subtle ligament tears, understand valgus vs varus mechanics, and revise how to manage sports-related knee trauma confidently.
🧠 Key Learning Points
📌 Definition
• Collateral ligament injury = stretch or tear to the MCL (medial) or LCL (lateral)
• These ligaments maintain side-to-side stability in the knee
• Injuries range from Grade I (sprain) to Grade III (complete tear)
💡 Analogy: Like stretching a rubber band — it may bounce back, loosen, or snap
📌 Causes & Risk Factors
• Trauma – direct blow to the knee
• Forceful twisting or hyperextension
• Sudden direction changes – e.g. football, rugby, basketball
💡 Mnemonic: Twists, Turns, Tackles
• Risk ↑ with prior knee injury, poor technique, or inadequate warm-up
📌 Pathophysiology
• MCL injury = valgus stress (force from outside → in)
• LCL injury = varus stress (force from inside → out)
• Severity graded I–III based on ligament damage & instability
📌 Differentials
• ACL/PCL tear
• Meniscal injury
• Patellar dislocation
• Fractures
💡 Tip: “Don’t get tunnel vision — examine the whole knee”
📌 Epidemiology
• Common in sports medicine
• MCL injuries more frequent than LCL
• Occurs in both adolescents and adults
📌 Clinical Features
• Pain on medial or lateral knee
• Tenderness along ligament line
• Swelling
• Side-to-side instability
💡 Mild = soreness | Severe = gapping, instability
📌 Investigations
🧪 Clinical exam – ROM, tenderness, valgus/varus tests
📸 MRI = gold standard – defines tear, assesses ACL/meniscus
🦴 X-ray – rules out fracture if trauma is significant
📌 Management
Grade I–II (mild/moderate):
• RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation)
• NSAIDs, brace, physio
• Gradual mobilisation
💡 “RICE is nice”
Grade III (severe/unstable):
• Ortho referral
• Surgery (repair or reconstruction)
• Post-op rehab is essential
📌 Complications
• Chronic instability
• Recurrence
• Delayed return to sport
• ↑ Risk of osteoarthritis
📌 Prognosis
✅ Good with early diagnosis & rehab
⚠️ Poorer with multiple ligament injuries
🏃♂️ Return to sport in weeks–months, depending on severity
📚 MSRA Resources – Collateral Ligament Injury
📝 Revision Notes:
https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/collateral-ligament-injury-revision-notes/
🧠 Flashcards:
https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/collateral-ligament-injury-flashcards/
📖 Accordion Q&A:
https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/collateral-ligament-injury-accordion-qa-notes/
🎯 Rapid Quiz:
https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/collateral-ligament-injury-rapid-quiz/
🧪 Quiz Access:
https://www.passthemsra.com/quizzes/collateral-ligament-injury/
🌐 More MSRA Support
https://www.passthemsra.com
https://www.freemsra.com
💬 Final Thought
Even mild collateral ligament injuries, if missed, can lead to chronic instability and reduced performance. Think knee stability, test both sides, and refer early. MSRA scenarios love knee pain — now you’re ready for them.
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