A medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury is a stretch, partial tear, or complete tear of the ligament on the inside of the knee, while an injury to the lateral collateral ligament of the knee can be caused by a varus stress or hyperextension to the knee joint.
A ligament is a band of tissue that connects a bone to another bone. The collateral ligaments of the knee are located on the outside part of your knee joint. They help connect the bones of your upper and lower leg, around your knee joint.
A collateral ligament injury occurs when the ligaments are stretched or torn. A partial tear occurs when only part of the ligament is torn. A complete tear occurs when the entire ligament is torn into two pieces.
Often, a cruciate ligament injury does not cause pain. Instead, the person may hear a popping sound as the injury occurs, followed by the leg buckling when trying to stand on it, and swelling. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently.
Learn more about Media and Lateral Collateral Ligament Injuries through our educational images:
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