From the Research
Causes of Pain in the Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) of the Knee
- The LCL is a ligament that connects the femur (thigh bone) to the fibula (outer lower leg bone) and plays a crucial role in stabilizing the knee joint 1.
- Pain in the LCL can be caused by various factors, including:
- Traumatic injuries, such as grade III LCL sprains, which can lead to complete rupture of the ligament 2.
- Overuse injuries, such as those experienced by athletes who participate in sports that involve repetitive knee movements 3.
- Anatomical factors, such as the innervation of the LCL and its surrounding structures, which can contribute to indistinct pain in the lateral part of the knee joint 1.
- The innervation of the LCL is complex and involves multiple branches from different nerves, including the muscular branch of the biceps femoris muscle and the common fibular nerve 1.
- The presence of nerve endings in the LCL, such as Ruffini mechanoreceptors, Golgi mechanoreceptors, and free nerve endings, can also contribute to pain in the LCL 1.
- Soft tissue restriction and dysfunction can also be a potential source of pain in the LCL, particularly in athletes who have undergone changes in their training routines 3.