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| HOW IS IT DIAGNOSED? |
| Your doctor will examine your knee for tenderness over the outside of your knee. Your doctor will gently move your knee around to see if the knee joint is stable, and if the ligament is stretched or torn. An x-ray or an MRI (magnetic resonance image) may also be necessary. |
| - Applying ice packs to your knee for 20 - 30 minutes every 3 - 4 hours for 2 - 3 days, or until the pain and swelling goes away |
| - Elevating your knee by placing a pillow underneath it |
| - Wrapping an elastic bandage around your knee to keep the swelling from getting worse |
| - Using crutches until you can walk without pain |
| - Taking anti-inflammatory medication or pain medication prescribed by your doctor |
| - Doing rehabilitation exercises |
| WHEN CAN I RETURN TO MY SPORT OR ACTIVITY? |
| The goal of rehabilitation is to return you to your sport or activity as soon as is safely possible. If you return too soon you may worsen your injury, which could lead to permanent damage. Everyone recovers from injury at a different rate. Return to your activity will be determined by how soon your knee recovers, not by how many days or weeks it has been since your injury occurred. |
| In general, the longer that you have symptoms before you start treatment, the longer it will take you to get better. You may safely return to your sport or activity when, starting from the top of the list and progressing to the end, each of the following is true: |
| - Your injured knee can be fully straightened and bent without pain |
| - Your knee and leg have regained normal strength compared to the uninjured knee and leg |
| - Your knee is not swollen |
| - You are able to jog straight ahead without limping |
| - You are able to sprint straight ahead without limping |
| - You are able to do 45 degree cuts |
| - You are able to do 90 degree cuts |
| - You are able to do 20 yard figure-eight runs |
| - You are able to do 10 yard figure-eight runs |
| - You are able to jump on both legs without pain, and jump on the injured leg without pain |
| HOW CAN I PREVENT A LATERAL COLLATERAL LIGAMENT SPRAIN? |
| Unfortunately, most injuries to the lateral collateral ligament are not preventable. However, you may be able to avoid these injuries by having strong thigh and hamstring muscles, as well as by maintaining a good leg stretching routine. |
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