What does it mean when the outer side of your knee hurts?

Pain on the outer (or lateral) part of the knee can be caused by an injury. It may also be the result of inflammation in a band of tough fibrous tissue that runs down the outside of the thigh, and attaches to the front of the tibia (shin bone). Pain in this area may also be caused by arthritis.

Can you walk with torn LCL?

Will LCL tears affect how I walk? For a while, you’ll have to use crutches or a knee brace. Your healthcare provider will tell you how long you need to wait before putting weight on your knee. You’ll be back to walking normally after your LCL tear heals.

How long does an LCL tear take to heal?

It may take up to eight weeks to fully recover, depending on the grade of your injury. If the lateral collateral ligament was torn where it attaches to the thighbone (femur) or shinbone (tibia), the surgeon will reattach the ligament to the bone using large stitches or a metal bone staple.

What causes swelling on the outside of the knee?

Fluid Outside the Knee Joint The most common cause of excessive fluid in the soft tissue surrounding the knee is prepatellar bursitis. This is inflammation of a fluid-filled sac (called the bursa) which cushions the kneecap (called the patella). 5 The buildup can be seen and felt at the top of the kneecap.

How do you fix lateral knee pain?

The best course of treatment for lateral knee pain will depend on the underlying cause of the outer knee pain. It will usually include a combination of exercises, physical therapy and rest from aggravating activities and may also include knee injections and surgery.

Is an LCL tear worse than ACL?

The quick answer is that the ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) is most likely to be considered the worst ligament in the knee to tear.

Do I need surgery for torn LCL?

When the LCL is completely torn or not healing with nonsurgical therapy, you may need surgery to reconstruct the ligament. While some LCL injuries can be treated with anti-inflammatory medications as well as conservative treatments such as rest, ice, compression, and elevation, most people will need surgery.

What is the lump on the outside of my knee?

A lump on the side of knee – either inside or outside- is most likely a meniscal cyst on the side of the knee. A meniscal cyst is a collection of thick fluid arising from a tear of the meniscal cartilage, which is the cushioning of the knee. However, not all lumps in knee are meniscal cysts.

How do I know if I have a lateral meniscus tear?

To diagnose a lateral meniscus tear, your knee specialist will perform an x-ray and MRI on the affected knee. An x-ray cannot detect a meniscus tear but it will detect other bony related conditions. An MRI is typically quite accurate in detecting a tear of the lateral meniscus.