Ace Physiotherapy and Sports in Singapore
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+65 81535374 -
ACE PHYSIO SPORTS
East gate Building, 46 East Coast Road
#08-03 Singapore 428766 -
Opening Hours
Mon to Fri: 08:00am - 8:00pm -
Opening Hours
Sat: 08:00am - 4:00pm
Sunday (By prior appointment)
Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL)
LCL surgery
Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) surgery involves the repair or reconstruction of the ligament on the outer side of the knee following injury. This procedure helps restore stability, strength, and normal function to the knee joint.
The lateral collateral ligament (LCL) is one of the four major ligaments that provide stability to the knee joint, acting as the main supporting structure on the outer side of the knee. An LCL injury typically occurs when a force is applied to the inner side of the knee, pushing it outward and overstretching the ligament. LCL injuries are classified into three grades based on the severity of the damage — ranging from mild sprains to complete ligament tears.
Treatment for LCL injuries depends on the severity of the damage. For lower-grade LCL tears, a conservative (non-surgical) approach is usually recommended along with a personalised physiotherapy programme. Physiotherapy will focus on reducing pain and swelling, restoring range of motion, and strengthening the muscles around the knee to help regain joint stability and promote a safe, effective recovery.
If the LCL injury is severe, surgical intervention may be required to either repair the damaged ligament or reconstruct it entirely. In many cases, LCL surgery becomes necessary when other knee structures—such as the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) or multiple ligaments—are injured simultaneously, as seen in knee dislocations. The procedure is typically performed arthroscopically (keyhole surgery) and may involve suturing the torn ligament or replacing it with a graft. The graft can be taken from the hamstring tendon or obtained from a donor (allograft). Surgical reconstruction after a severe LCL injury helps to restore knee stability and function, allowing for a full or near-full recovery.
Physiotherapy for surgery
Ace Physio Sports recommends that before undergoing LCL surgery, you participate in a specific pre-operative physiotherapy programme to help prepare your body for the procedure and support your recovery afterwards. Pre-surgery physiotherapy with acephysiosports.com focuses on reducing pain and swelling, strengthening the muscles around the knee, and improving range of movement. Additionally, it is important to strengthen the muscles in your hip, ankle, and opposite (uninjured) leg to ensure optimal support for your injured knee during and after the recovery process.
Symptoms after surgery
After undergoing LCL surgery, it is normal to experience pain and swelling around the ligament and the surgical incision site. You may also notice stiffness and a reduction in knee movement. However, following your pre-surgery physiotherapy programme with acephysiosports.com will have helped to minimise these effects as much as possible. In the first week after surgery, you will be provided with elbow crutches to assist with walking, and you should avoid driving during this period. Additionally, you will be fitted with a knee brace to protect the repaired ligament and provide support while healing begins.
Physiotherapy after LCL surgery
Early stages of rehabilitation
During the early stages of your rehabilitation following LCL surgery, acephysiosports.com will focus on reducing pain, swelling, and stiffness, while gradually improving the range of movement in your knee. You will begin with partial weight bearing and progress to full weight bearing as tolerated. Your physiotherapy programme will also aim to strengthen the muscles around your injured knee, as well as your hip, ankle, and opposite leg, to provide essential support throughout your recovery. Your physiotherapy at this stage will include:
- Gentle range of motion exercises
- Pain and swelling management techniques
- Partial weight-bearing activities
- Strengthening exercises for the hip, ankle, and opposite leg
- Circulatory and flexibility exercises
Later stages of rehabilitation
Following successful rehabilitation in the early stages of your recovery, your physiotherapy programme with acephysiosports.com will now progress to include more advanced exercises that build upon the activities from previous weeks, while also focusing on sport- and activity-specific training. To further enhance healing and strengthen the repaired ligament, once your surgical wound has fully healed, acephysiosports.com may incorporate electrotherapy treatments such as ultrasound therapy into your physiotherapy sessions. Rehabilitation activities at this stage will include:
- Progressive strengthening exercises for the knee and surrounding muscles
- Advanced range of motion and flexibility training
- Balance and proprioception (joint awareness) exercises
- Gait re-education and functional mobility drills
- Sport- or activity-specific retraining
- Electrotherapy (e.g., ultrasound) to support tissue healing
Your recovery after LCL surgery may take up to 3 months or longer, depending on your commitment and adherence to your physiotherapy programme with acephysiosports.com. It is important to avoid doing too much too soon, as overexertion can slow healing and increase the risk of complications. With consistent rehabilitation, you will gradually regain strength, stability, and confidence in your knee, allowing you to safely return to sports or other physically demanding activities. However, without proper physiotherapy, recovery may take significantly longer and could result in reduced knee function or early degeneration of the joint.
Summary
LCL surgery involves the repair or reconstruction of the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) after it has been severely injured. If the injury is mild, surgery may not be necessary, and a specific physiotherapy programme will be recommended to restore function and stability. However, if the damage is more severe and causes significant pain or instability in the knee joint, surgery is often required to repair or reconstruct the ligament. Surgical treatment in such cases can be highly effective in improving knee stability and reducing the risk of long-term complications, such as arthritis. Physiotherapy before and after LCL surgery is vital to ensure the success of the procedure, prevent further injury, and promote faster recovery. Ace Physio Sports will provide you with a personalised physiotherapy programme designed to help you regain full knee function and return to your work, hobbies, or sports as quickly and safely as possible. Call Ace Physio Sports now at +65 81535374 or visit acephysiosports.com for more information or to book an appointment today!
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