An LCL sprain is a common injury among athletes, especially those who play sports that require quick changes in direction or twisting movements. The lateral collateral ligament (LCL) is located on the outer side of the knee and provides stability to the joint. When it gets stretched or torn due to excessive force, it can cause pain, swelling, and instability. If you’ve suffered from an LCL sprain, you may be wondering how to fix it and get back to your sport as soon as possible. In this blog post, we’ll share some tips from a physiotherapist and chiropractor on how to treat an LCL sprain effectively.
Rest and Ice
The first step in treating an LCL sprain is to rest and apply ice to the affected area. Resting allows the ligament to heal without further damage, while ice helps reduce swelling and inflammation. You should avoid any activities that aggravate your symptoms, such as running or jumping.
Compression
Compression can also help reduce swelling and support the injured knee. You can use a compression bandage or wrap around the knee at all times except when sleeping.
Elevation
Elevating your leg above heart level for several hours each day can also help with reducing swelling in your knee joint.
Strengthening Exercises
Once the initial pain has subsided, it’s essential to start strengthening exercises gradually. Physiotherapy exercises are one of the most effective ways to rehabilitate after an LCL strain injury by building up strength in your muscles surrounding the joint. Your physiotherapist will assess your range of motion, flexibility, strength capacity before developing a customized rehabilitation program for you. This could include exercises such as leg presses, squats with resistance bands, and seated leg curls.
Chiropractic Treatment
Chiropractic treatment can also be an effective way to treat an LCL sprain. Chiropractors use various techniques such as adjustments, mobilization, and soft tissue therapies to restore proper alignment of the knee joint and reduce tension in the surrounding muscles.
An LCL sprain can be a painful injury that keeps you away from your sport for a while. However, with proper treatment and care, you can recover quickly and get back on the field in no time. Resting, icing, compressing, elevating your leg above heart level are some ways to alleviate pain or swelling caused by an LCL sprain. Physiotherapy exercises are critical to rebuilding strength after injury. A chiropractor may also help by using different techniques to relieve tension around the knee joint. If you’re experiencing any LCL sprain symptoms, consult a physiotherapist or chiropractor right away for a diagnosis and treatment plan that works best for you!
If you have any questions or would like to explore further, please book a free, no-charge online appointment with either myself, Nitin Nair, BPT, R/TRO DIP, PT, or another Kitchener physiotherapist at CARESPACE. We are happy to listen and are here to help!
