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Knee brace for an LCL sprain: what to wear on the outside of the knee
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- Wraparound hinged knee brace with bilateral hinges. Best for: Grade 1 or 2 LCL sprains, especially while the knee is still swollen. See options on Amazon
- Hinged knee brace with range-of-motion dial. Best for: More severe sprains or post-surgery, only when your clinician sets the range. See options on Amazon
- Pull-on sleeve with hinged side stays. Best for: Later recovery and return to sport once swelling has settled. See options on Amazon
- Underarm crutches. Best for: The early non-weight-bearing period after a stable LCL sprain. See options on Amazon
What the LCL does and how it gets hurt
The LCL runs along the outside of the knee, connecting the thigh bone to the fibula. AAOS OrthoInfo explains that the collateral ligaments control side-to-side motion and brace the knee against unusual movement. The LCL is injured when force pushes the knee outward, such as a blow to the inside of the knee, and it is much less commonly hurt than the MCL: OrthoInfo puts LCL injuries at less than 2% of knee injuries, compared with up to 43 to 52% for MCL tears.
Symptoms OrthoInfo lists include pain on the outside of the knee, swelling, tenderness, a feeling that the knee might give way, sometimes a pop, and stiffness.
LCL sprain grades and what each usually needs
| Grade (OrthoInfo) | What it means | Usual brace role |
|---|---|---|
| Grade 1 | Ligament slightly stretched, knee still stable | Hinged brace for support while it recovers, per your clinician |
| Grade 2 | Stretched until loose, often called a partial tear | Hinged brace during recovery is standard nonsurgical care |
| Grade 3 | Complete tear; knee unstable | Surgical opinion first; brace set by the surgeon |
OrthoInfo says nonsurgical LCL treatment fits tears that are not severe and are stable, and that patients typically cannot bear weight for 1 week and use a hinged knee brace during recovery. Surgery may be advised if the ligament has pulled off the bone or other structures are injured. That is why an exam, and often imaging, comes before buying.
Why a hinged brace, not a sleeve
Cleveland Clinic explains that sleeves are elastic that lightly squeeze the knee, while braces use stiff plastic or metal to stabilize it. For an LCL sprain, the job is to resist the knee bowing outward, which takes the rigid side bars of a hinged brace. Mueller describes its hinged wraparound brace as helping prevent medio-lateral, meaning side-to-side, movement of the knee.
For general hinge fitting, see our hinged knee brace guide. The rest of this page focuses on the LCL-specific choices.
Choosing and fitting a brace for the outside of the knee
- Bars on both sides. The outer hinge carries most of the LCL load, but a matching inner hinge keeps the brace aligned.
- Wraparound if the knee is swollen. A brace that opens flat goes on without forcing it over a tender joint. Mueller's wraparound sizes by circumference around the knee: 9 to 14 inches, 12 to 20 inches, and 17 to 26 inches across its three sizes.
- Hinge at the joint line. Center the hinges level with the middle of the kneecap so they bend with the knee.
- Snug, never painful. Cleveland Clinic says braces should be secure but should not restrict circulation or hurt, and lists skin irritation, pressure sores and nerve compression as rare complications.
- Watch the outer knee. Because nerve compression is one of the complications Cleveland Clinic lists, a strap pressing hard on the outside of the knee that brings on foot tingling or weakness needs loosening and a call to your clinician.
Getting back to activity
OrthoInfo emphasizes physical therapy to restore mobility, strength and confidence, followed by a gradual return to sport once range of motion and strength come back. Depending on severity, it notes a brace may be recommended during sports to prevent re-injury. Plan to wear the brace for activity, not forever, and let your clinician decide when to stop.
What to look for when you buy
Wraparound hinged knee brace with bilateral hinges
Best for: Grade 1 or 2 LCL sprains, especially while the knee is still swollen
Opens flat to go on easily, and rigid hinges on both sides resist sideways stress. Mueller states its hinged wraparound design helps prevent medio-lateral movement.
Watch out: Back closures can be fiddly and hinges can show under trousers.
See options on AmazonHinged knee brace with range-of-motion dial
Best for: More severe sprains or post-surgery, only when your clinician sets the range
A dial lets a clinician limit how far the knee bends during early recovery.
Watch out: Settings are a medical decision; do not adjust them yourself.
See options on AmazonPull-on sleeve with hinged side stays
Best for: Later recovery and return to sport once swelling has settled
Lower profile under clothing, while side hinges still resist sideways movement.
Watch out: Hard to pull over a swollen knee. Less adjustable than a wraparound.
See options on AmazonUnderarm crutches
Best for: The early non-weight-bearing period after a stable LCL sprain
OrthoInfo says patients typically cannot bear weight for 1 week with nonsurgical LCL care.
Watch out: Get crutches sized and learn the gait pattern from your clinician.
See options on AmazonQuestions people ask
- What kind of knee brace is best for an LCL sprain?
- A hinged brace with rigid side bars, which OrthoInfo describes as part of nonsurgical LCL care. A plain sleeve does not resist sideways stress.
- How long do I wear a brace for an LCL sprain?
- Your clinician decides based on the grade. OrthoInfo describes a hinged brace during recovery and sometimes a brace for sports afterward to prevent re-injury.
- Can I walk with an LCL sprain?
- OrthoInfo says patients typically cannot bear weight for 1 week with nonsurgical treatment. Follow your clinician's plan.
- Does an LCL sprain need surgery?
- OrthoInfo says nonsurgical treatment is an option for stable Grade 1 and 2 tears. Surgery may be advised if the ligament pulled off the bone or other structures are hurt.
Sources
- Collateral Ligament Injuries (orthoinfo.org), AAOS OrthoInfo
- Knee Braces, Sleeves & Support: Types & How To Use (my.clevelandclinic.org), Cleveland Clinic
- Hinged Wraparound Knee Brace (muellersportsmed.com), Mueller Sports Medicine