The knee consists of four ligaments: the MCL, LCL, ACL, and PCL.
These four ligaments surround the two bones of the knee: the
femur and the tibia. Knee ligaments are made of tough fibrous
material that provide the knee with strength and stability and
control excessive motion by limiting joint mobility. Drew Stein,
M.D., is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine,
including treatment of knee ligament or cartilage tears, and
knee osteochondral defects. Here is some information about the
four ligaments of the knee. Medical Collateral Ligament The
medical collateral ligament (MCL) is located at the inside of
the knee joint. The MCL connects the shinbone (tibia) with the
thighbone (femur). Its primary function is to prevent the
overextension of the knee joint from side to side. A typical MCL
injury results when the outside of the knee joint is struck.
Typical treatment aims to increase mobility and strengthen the
knee. Lateral Collateral Ligament The lateral collateral
ligament (LCL) is a thin band o