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Structure and function, injury, pathology, and treatment of the medial collateral ligament of the knee

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Abstract

The medial collateral ligament (MCL) is the most commonly injured ligament of the knee. There is a spectrum of injury severity, and injuries may be acute or chronic. The MCL is also frequently injured in conjunction with other knee structures. Clinical evaluation of the knee is important to assess the degree of surgical acuity, but magnetic resonance imaging can provide details about the injury that may not be obvious clinically. In addition to injury, MCL bursitis can occur and may be treated with needle aspiration and corticosteroid injection. This review article covers the anatomy and biomechanics of the MCL, its injury patterns and approach to management, and MCL bursitis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1200 N. State St., D&T Bldg., Room 3D321, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA

    Aaron Schein, George Matcuk, Dakshesh Patel, Christopher J. Gottsegen & Deborah Forrester

  2. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1200 N. State St., D&T Bldg., Room 3D321, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA

    Timothy Hartshorn

  3. 1520 San Pablo St. Suite L-1600 Attention kim Schultz, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA

    Eric White

Authors
  1. Aaron Schein
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  2. George Matcuk
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  3. Dakshesh Patel
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  4. Christopher J. Gottsegen
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  5. Timothy Hartshorn
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  6. Deborah Forrester
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  7. Eric White
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Correspondence to Eric White.

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Schein, A., Matcuk, G., Patel, D. et al. Structure and function, injury, pathology, and treatment of the medial collateral ligament of the knee. Emerg Radiol 19, 489–498 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10140-012-1062-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10140-012-1062-z

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