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NJ knee surgeon
 Robert A. Kayal, MD, performs arthroscopic medial laterall ligament replacement (also referred to as laterall collateral ligament or LCL) without cutting through any tendons or muscle. This minimally invasive surgical procedure is usually performed as an outpatient procedure so patients return home the same day as surgery!
What is an LCL tear? The lateral collateral ligament (LCL) is a thin band that runs along the outside of the knee and connects the thighbone (femur) to the fibula, which is the small bone that runs down the side of the knee and connects to the ankle. Similar to the medial collateral ligament (MCL), the LCL's primary function is to stabilize the knee as it moves.
The most common symptoms of an LCL tear are pain, stiffness, swelling and tenderness along the outside part of the knee. Your knee may feel loose, as though it will give way under stress, or it may lock. More severe tears can cause numbness or weakness in the foot, which occurs in the peroneal nerve (located near the LCL) if it is stretched at the time of injury or squeezed by swelling of the surrounding tissues.
Is surgery necessary? LCL tears are graded or rated 1, 2, or 3. Grade I is bruised ligament with no instability. Grade II injuries have mild to moderate instability and represent partial or incomplete tears. Treatment on grade I and Grade II injuries are the same - iice, ace, anti inflammatory medication, early motion especially stationary cycling. Many people use an immobilizer brace for 1 - 2 weeks for walking. . Grade III injuries are very unstable and are often associated with other injuries. These should be evaluated by an MD.
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