MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Torn lateral collateral ligament

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Torn lateral collateral ligament

A torn (LCL), is an injury to the lateral collateral ligament, a ligament extending from the top-outside surface of the fibula to the bottom-outside surface of the femur. The ligament prevents the knee joint from side-to-side (lateral) instability.

Update Date: 9/26/2006

Updated by: Andrew L. Chen, M.D., M.S., Orthopedist, The Alpine Clinic, Littleton, NH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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