LCL Tear Recovery Explained Recovering from a lateral collateral ligament tear can vary greatly depending on the severity of your injury.lcltear (ad) Recovery Timeline:
Grade 1 Tear: Usually heals in three to six weeks, and you can probably load the leg sooner as long as it is simulateneous with pain Grade 2 &3Tears/providers are opinion-when symptoms improve and goals objectived!
Grade 2 Tear: Likely longer return to play; ~6–8 weeks for controlled activities, increasing up to 12 weeks for sports with rapid directional changes.
Grade 3 Tear Complete Tears require most of the time a surgical intervention, with recovery times ranging from 6 months to well over a year depending on rehab success and any other injuries sustained.
If LCL is torn off the femur or tibia, surgical repair of attachment sites are typically necessary. A process that reconnects the ligament using stitching or metal staples. After surgery they are usually on crutches for around six weeks with physical and vigorous aggressive therapy to build the leg back up.
Summary of Rehabilitation Focus: Successful rehabilitation involves rest, bracing and specific physical therapy. First, our goal is to reduce pain and swelling followed by exercises to get strength back and regain a full range of motion.
Ultimately, resolution varies for each patient; although some people make a full recovery from their LCL tear without difficulty and quite quickly after initial injury, others require extended treatment or even surgery to heal fully. Most patients can expect to return to all or most of their activity levels before the injury after treatment and rehab.
