Lateral Collateral Ligament

R8JimBob88

I injured my knee about 18 months ago whilst rock climbing, I've used the tinterweb to self diagnose myself (I'll probably call a physio this time though too) and I reckon I've damaged my lateral collateral ligament in my right knee.

Whilst riding home tonight a gear slipped and I jolted my knee. I had to call the other half for an emergency pick up! Luckily I was only a few miles from home. It was just too painful to raise my leg to carry on.

Just wondering if anyone else has injured their LCL? Length of recovery perhaps? Advice?

Cheers all

sfichele

Unfortunately that'll be me and similarly I knackered mine climbing.

I made the mistake of not going to the gp/physio immediately which was a big mistake!
I also continued to walk on my bad knee, not realising had worn down trainers which were aggravating it further.

1) Get some physio on the NHS asap
2) Get some more private physio

The main thing is to not over work your knee, do lots of stretches and strengthening exercises - which a physio can advise.

Mines a lot better now and it doesn't give me any problems whilst cycling, but I've not been properly climbing for 2 years. If I go on long walks then it starts grumbling again.

sfichele

Just remembered - my problem was the medial not the lateral - but I'd still get to a physio asap

R8JimBob88

Cheers for that, still helpful anyway. I think both ligaments work in a similar way anyway. Just annoying as I bike to work and this means I'll be sat in a stinking car tomorrow grrrr

Going to get some ice on it later.

I remember when I originally did it, I was pushing up through my heal so in a sense was forcing my knee to bend the opposite way. I was out of action climbing for a few weeks but it hasn't really bothered me much since, just long walks on uneven ground seem to bother it.

sfichele

Yeh long walks did me in - again check your walking boots. Mine were really stiff cheap things that weren't allowing my foot to move and disperse impact comfortably. Chucked those away, got new walking shoes that aren't stiff which cured that!

Hope you are back to riding soon....

garrynolan

Sure it's not the CRUCIATE ligament? Wifey is massage therapist and says there's no such thing as a 'collateral' ligament.

R8JimBob88

Just got back from the docs. It's either a nasty stretched LCL or a slightly torn one. I've been given a bunch of exercises to do and am going to take it easy, lots of ice etc. He did mention that cycling should be fine and will strengthen the knee ligaments and quad muscle in the long run

sfichele

Make sure you do the stretches - really boring though