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Inner Lateral Ligament

WHAT IS IT?

The inner lateral ligament runs along the inner side of the knee. It starts at the internal femoral epicondyle and inserts into the internal part of the proximal tibia. This ligament stabilises the knee and limits the position of the valgus (tension on the inner part).

The outer lateral ligament runs along the outer side of the knee, starting at the external femoral condyle and inserts into the outer part of the fibular head. The outer lateral ligament stabilises the knee and limits the position of the varus (tension on the outer part).

Injuries to these ligaments consist in excessive stretching, or their partial or total rupture.

CAUSES

Lateral ligament sprains are caused by abrupt turns in the knee with the foot resting on the floor, and by impacts on the knee. Which ligament is damaged depends on where the impact is made:

Injuries to the inner lateral ligament are caused by impacts to the outer side of the knee, putting a strain on the valgus position (tension on the inner part).

Injuries to the outer lateral ligament are caused by impacts to the inner side of the knee, putting a strain on the varus position (tension on the outer par)

SYMPTOMS

Patients with injuries or sprains in the lateral ligaments will feel pain in the affected area. There may be swelling of variable location and intensity in the area, and the patient may feel unstable depending on the grade of injury.

TREATMENT

If the injury is not significantly severe (Grades I-III) it can be treated with conservative treatment, such as:

• The application of ice on the affected area.
• Rest
• Rehabilitation
• Pharmaceutical therapy, such as analgesics and anti-inflammatory medication.
• Biological therapy using platelet-rich plasma (PRP).

If the injury is severe (Grade III), surgical treatment is preferred. The operation is combined with the use of biological therapies like the application of PRP  for reconstruction.

Lateral ligaments and PRP (Grade I-II injuries)

For this type of sprain in lateral ligaments, injections of PRP may be used in patients who need to speed up and ensure repair.

Below is a list of general recommendations for the use of percutaneous PRP injections in the conservative treatment of lateral ligaments:

1. Sterilisation of the area to be treated.
2. The administering of percutaneous injections in the ligaments, using ultrasound as a guide.
3. Depending on the grade of injury, up to three injections will be administered weekly, under conditions of maximum asepsis. These will be administered on an outpatient basis in the Biological Therapy Unit.
4. Rehabilitation and physiotherapy to generate mechanical stimuli which aid the remodelling and reorientation of the ligament and surrounding structures.