What causes collateral ligament injuries and who is at risk?
The usual causes of torn knee ligaments are over-extension of the leg during exercise or injury during contact sports. The MCL (medial collateral ligament), located on the inside of the knee joint, helps keep your knee joint stable. It can be injured by stressing, twisting or striking the knee. Most minor MCL injuries heal by themselves in a few weeks or months if they are rested. Serious ones, however, often require surgery. Like the MCL, the LCL (lareral collateral ligament) helps keep your knee joint stable but is located on the outer side of the joint. Most minor LCL injuries heal by themselves in a few weeks or months if they are rested but more serious ones may require surgery. Usually the injury to the LCL damages another ligament at the same time. In most cases, LCL injury is less serious than injury to other knee tissues, such as the cruciate ligaments. However, in more serious cases the ligament can be partially or completely torn. Blows to the knee are a common cause of LCL
