Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) Repair

A Better Healthcare Experience, Close to You.

On the outside of your knee, the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) is a band that joins the femur and fibula. After receiving a direct impact on the inner portion of the knee, an LCL injury is a common consequence. As a result of the ligaments being overextended, this causes them to rip. You could require surgery to rebuild the ligament if the LCL is fully torn or if nonsurgical treatment does not speed up recovery. Lateral Collateral Ligament Repair surgery is usually done as an open surgery operation in most cases. To diagnose and repair the joint, the concerned surgeon may occasionally use both open surgery and arthroscopy.

Lateral Collateral Ligament Repair Preparation

Our expert doctors and medical care team at Omni will provide instructions for you to follow in order to guarantee a successful operation as you are getting ready for it.

• To prevent excessive bleeding during the procedure, stop using any anti-inflammatory medications seven days beforehand.
• Within a week following surgery, be sure to let your concerned doctor know if you have any infections like the flu or a fever.
• Prior to surgery, give up smoking for a week.
• Organise your space to make it simple for you to move about.

Lateral Collateral Ligament Repair Procedure

Two different kinds of LCL rips often require repair surgery.

• First, there is an injury at the point where the ligament joins the femur or tibia, which is where the ligament connects to the bone. By means of strong sutures, screws, or staples, the surgeon will repair the damaged ligament to the bone.
• When the LCL is ripped in half, a specific type of repair surgery is performed. The surgeon will carefully stitch the torn ends back together in these circumstances using strong and resilient surgical thread.

Recovery After the Procedure

The length of recovery following Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) repair varies from patient to patient and is influenced by underlying medical disorders, patient age, and degree of activity before surgery. Patients may often anticipate having their knees braced to speed up the healing of the ligament and joint. Following surgery, crutches are often advised for two to three weeks.

Following that, patients are advised to do the following actions:

• To reduce pain and swelling, elevate the joint, use ice, and take some rest.
• Exercises for the knees should first be passive, then they should be intense, as advised.
• To reduce pain, a doctor may prescribe a painkiller, which must be taken as directed.

Risks & Complications of LCL

The following are some possible hazards of LCL reconstruction:

• Persistent pain in the knee
• Knee weakness or instability
• Peroneal nerve damage

Why choose Omni Hospitals?

At Omni, we provide high-quality bone & joint health treatment with complete attention, care, and compassion to patients and their loved ones. Our board-certified orthopaedic surgeons, who stay updated about all orthopaedic system components and recent medical developments, make the risks involved minimal to none. Our hospital has a lesser complication rate and employs the most cutting-edge orthopaedic technologies accessible for better post-surgery outcomes and quicker recovery.

FAQs

Q1. Is LCL repair surgery necessary?

Ans. You may require surgery to rebuild the ligament if the LCL is totally torn or is not mending with nonsurgical treatment.

Q2. How long does recovery from an LCL repair procedure take?

Ans. After 4-6 weeks, you should be ready to start doing exercises to help your knee regain its strength and normal range of motion.

Q3. Are LCL operations arthroscopic?

Ans. The LCL repair is carried out by making a tiny incision on the knee. The treatment is not performed arthroscopically but rather through an open incision for better accessibility and results.

Q4. Is walking possible after LCL surgery?

Ans. Following surgery, you’ll often need to use crutches and a knee brace for six weeks. Usually, nine to twelve months following surgery, one may resume walking or participating in sports fully.