Lateral collateral ligament (LCL) injuries
A blow or sudden twist to the knee can damage the lateral collateral ligament (LCL), leaving the outside of your knee painful and making it feel unstable when you walk, exercise or play sport. At Fortius Clinic, our multidisciplinary team will work closely with you to create a treatment plan tailored to your needs. From your first appointment through to rehabilitation, we'll support you every step of the way to help you regain confidence and return to your usual activities. Early assessment is important because LCL injuries are often associated with damage to other ligaments and structures within the knee. Identifying these injuries early helps ensure you receive the most appropriate treatment and supports the best possible recovery.
Specialist expertise
Our experienced knee consultants diagnose and treat the full range of ligament injuries using evidence-based care tailored to your needs.
Sports medicine experience
We regularly care for everyone from recreational exercisers to elite athletes recovering from knee injuries.
Flexible access to care
Whether you're self-funding, using private medical insurance or have a referral, we'll help you access specialist care as quickly as possible.
What is a lateral collateral ligament (LCL) injury?
The lateral collateral ligament (LCL) is one of the main ligaments that helps keep your knee stable. It runs along the outside of the knee, connecting the thigh bone (femur) to the smaller bone in the lower leg (fibula). An LCL injury happens when this ligament is stretched, partially torn or completely torn. It usually occurs when the knee is forced into an excessive "bow-legged" position, such as during a sporting injury, a fall or a direct blow to the inside of the knee. It can also happen if your foot remains planted while the knee twists outwards. Although LCL injuries are less common than medial collateral ligament (MCL) injuries, they can be more complex. Because of the anatomy on the outside of the knee, an LCL injury is often accompanied by damage to other ligaments, tendons or cartilage. For this reason, persistent pain or instability should always be assessed by a specialist.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms vary depending on the severity of the injury but commonly include:
- Pain along the outside of the knee
- Swelling around the knee
- Tenderness over the ligament
- A feeling that the knee is unstable or may give way
- Difficulty walking, running or changing direction
- Reduced confidence during sport or weight-bearing activities
- Bruising, particularly after more significant injuries
If your knee feels unstable after an injury or you are unable to bear weight comfortably, it's important to seek medical assessment.
How is it diagnosed?
Your consultant will begin by discussing how your injury happened, your symptoms and how they are affecting your everyday activities. They will then examine your knee, assessing its movement, stability and the surrounding ligaments.
To confirm the diagnosis and assess the extent of the injury, we may recommend:
- A detailed medical history
- Physical examination and ligament stability tests
- Assessment of your knee movement and function
- X-rays to check for associated fractures
- MRI scans to assess the LCL and identify any damage to other ligaments, cartilage or soft tissues
How is it treated?
Treatment depends on the severity of the injury, whether other structures within the knee have been damaged, and your lifestyle and recovery goals.
Your personalised treatment plan may include:
- A knee brace to protect the ligament while it heals
- Physiotherapy to restore movement, strength and stability
- Advice on activity modification during recovery
- Pain relief where appropriate
If the ligament is completely torn or there are significant associated injuries to other parts of the knee, surgery may be recommended. Your consultant will explain all available options and help you decide on the treatment that's right for you.
Treatment routes
Many isolated LCL injuries can be managed successfully without surgery.
Treatment usually involves wearing a knee brace for a period of time while the ligament heals, followed by a structured physiotherapy programme. Rehabilitation focuses on restoring movement, rebuilding strength and improving knee stability so you can return safely to everyday activities and sport when appropriate.
Recovery goals
During the first stage of recovery, the focus is on:
Reducing pain and swelling Protecting the healing ligament Restoring gentle knee movement Beginning early muscle activation where appropriate
As your knee heals, rehabilitation focuses on:
Improving strength and balance Restoring normal knee movement Rebuilding stability and confidence Returning to everyday activities comfortably
The final stage of rehabilitation aims to:
Build strength for work, exercise or sport Improve balance, coordination and control Return safely to higher levels of activity Reduce the risk of further injury
Working with professionals and teams
Our consultants support professional athletes, sports teams, active individuals and people whose work places repeated demands on their knees. Working closely with physiotherapists, strength and conditioning specialists and the wider multidisciplinary team, they develop personalised treatment plans that support a safe return to sport, work and everyday activities.
The same specialist expertise and collaborative approach are available to every patient, whatever your activity level or recovery goals.
Our Experts - Leaders in Knee Treatments
Dedicated to restoring your mobility through advanced surgical care, tailored rehabilitation programmes, and compassionate, evidence-based patient support.
How to pay
We offer flexible options depending on how you choose to access care at Fortius. Whichever option you choose, we’ll help make the process clear and straightforward from the start.
Private medical insurance
If your care is covered by private medical insurance, we’ll usually invoice your insurer directly. Please check your policy in advance and request an authorisation code if your insurer requires one. You’ll be responsible for paying any policy excess or costs that aren’t covered by your insurance.
Paying for yourself
You don’t need private medical insurance to access care at Fortius. If you’re paying for your own treatment, our team will explain the costs clearly and provide a personalised quote before you decide whether to go ahead.
LCL Injury FAQs
Recovery depends on the severity of the injury. Mild LCL sprains may recover within 4 to 6 weeks, while more severe injuries can take several months. Recovery may be longer if surgery is required or other ligaments have also been injured.
Not necessarily. Many LCL injuries heal successfully with bracing and physiotherapy. Surgery is usually only recommended when the ligament is completely torn, the knee remains unstable, or there are associated injuries affecting other structures within the knee.
Many people can still walk after an LCL injury, although it may be painful and the knee may feel unstable. Your consultant may recommend using a brace or crutches for a short period to protect the ligament while it begins to heal.
Yes. Most people can return to sport once strength, stability and knee function have recovered. Your physiotherapist will guide your rehabilitation and help determine when it is safe to return to training and competition.
Yes. Smoking and vaping can reduce blood flow and slow the body's natural healing process, which may delay ligament healing and increase the risk of complications after surgery. Stopping smoking, or reducing how much you smoke, can support your recovery. If you would like help to stop smoking, speak to your GP or visit the NHS Quit Smoking website.
Some mild LCL sprains may improve with rest, but it's important to have your knee assessed if you have ongoing pain, swelling or instability. LCL injuries are often associated with damage to other ligaments, and these injuries may require specialist treatment.
Find a clinic near you
Fortius Clinic Marylebone Wing
Our 79,000 sq ft, seven-story, private hospital on Wigmore Street has 39 en-suite inpatient rooms, consultation and treatment rooms, and a physiotherapy suite.
The hospital has a high-spec imaging suite fully equipped with an MRI, CT scanner and X-ray machine. There are three state-of-the-art operating theatres, two anaesthetic rooms and a recovery bay.
Fortius Clinic London has two Mako robots for hip and knee joint replacements.
- 66 Wigmore StreetW1U 2SB
- +442031952442
- Open 24 hours
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- CT guided injection
- MRI Scan
- CT Scan
Fortius Clinic Wimbledon
Our Wimbledon clinic houses a state-of-the-art imaging centre with a 3T MRI and X-ray scanners, Ultrasound, seven consulting rooms, two spacious waiting areas and well equipped treatment rooms all located on one level, ensuring easy accessibility for all patients.
Our partnership with Spire St Anthony’s Hospital allows us to provide orthopaedic surgery closer to our clinic. We treat a full range of conditions and perform joint replacement surgery using the latest Mako robotic assisted technology.
Take a tour of our clinic virtually through Google 360 views here.
We are open Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm, and Saturday mornings from 8.30am to 12.30pm.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground station is Wimbledon (District Line), which also has rail and tramlink services from central London and beyond.
There is no parking available at the clinic, but we have a number of parking facilities all within a 10-12 minute walk of the clinic: Centre Court Car Park, Broadway Car Park, and Hartfield Road Car Park. Please note that all of these facilities are paid car parks.
The building at 22 Worple Road has steps leading up to the front entrance. If you require assistance please inform us before your arrival by calling ahead on 020 3195 2442
- 22 Worple RoadSW19 4DD
- 0203 195 2442
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- MRI Scan
Fortius Clinic Marylebone
Our Marylebone Clinic is conveniently located in the historic area between Baker Street and Marylebone High Street, just off Manchester Square, home to the iconic Wallace Collection. We have seven consulting rooms, private waiting areas on each floor, well equipped treatment rooms and diagnostic imaging.
- 17 Fitzhardinge StreetW1U 2EU
- 020 3195 2442
- MRI Scan
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
Fortius Clinic City
Our City Clinic is conveniently located between Bank and Monument stations, within the historic and financial heart of London. At our modern, two-floor facility we have nine consulting rooms, spacious waiting areas, well equipped treatment rooms and an imaging centre.
Explore our City Clinic with our virtual tour.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground stations are Bank and Monument, exit 6 for King William Street.
Should you be travelling by car, the closest parking is a three minute drive away at NCP Car Park London Vintry Thames Exchange. If you are attending clinic on a weekday, please be aware that we are based in the congestion charge zone.
- 75 King William StreetEC4N 7BE
- 0203 195 2442
- Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm.
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- MRI Scan
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