MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Torn medial collateral ligament

Medical Encyclopedia

Torn medial collateral ligament

A torn (MCL), is an injury to the medial collateral ligament. This ligament extends from the upper-inside surface of the tibia to the bottom-inside surface of the femur. The ligament prevents the knee joint from medial instability, that is, instability in the inside of the joint.

Update Date: 5/12/2008

Updated by: Thomas N. Joseph, MD, Private Practice specializing in Orthopaedics, subspecialty Foot and Ankle, Camden Bone & Joint, Camden, SC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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