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Medial Collateral Ligament in the Multiligament Knee Injury: Diagnosis, Evaluation, Management, and Outcomes

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Knee Arthroscopy and Knee Preservation Surgery

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Abstract

The medial collateral ligament (MCL) is one of the four major ligaments of the knee and serves to withstand valgus forces. Multiligament knee injuries (MLKI) can often involve the MCL as one of the ligaments injured, especially through a mechanism with valgus stress among other mechanisms. Thorough physical examination and imaging are critical for evaluating the extent of MCL injury and other ligament injuries. Due to the potential limb threatening nature of MLKIs, it is also very important to evaluate for neurovascular injuries, intra-articular injuries, and fractures. There is still much ongoing discussion surrounding treatment, including role for non-operative treatment, surgical timing, surgical technique, and postoperative rehabilitation. Depending on the patient, MCL repair, MCL reconstruction, and various graft options can be considered.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Foster Center for Clinical Outcome Research, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA

    Julia Retzky, Antonio Ibarra & William Elnemer

  2. Hospital for Special Surgery, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, USA

    Robert G. Marx

Authors
  1. Julia Retzky
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  2. Antonio Ibarra
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  3. William Elnemer
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  4. Robert G. Marx
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Sports Medicine Clinic, Stanford University, Redwood City, CA, USA

    Seth L. Sherman

  2. Midwest Orthopedics, Rush University, Chicago, IL, USA

    Jorge Chahla

  3. Department of Orthopedics, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA

    Scott A. Rodeo

  4. Complex Knee and Sports Medicine Surgeon, Twin Cities Spine Center, Edina, MN, USA

    Robert LaPrade

Section Editor information

  1. Twin Cities Orthopedics University of Minnesota, Edina Minnesota, USA

    Robert F. LaPrade

  2. Hospital for Special Surgery, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, USA

    Robert G. Marx MD

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Retzky, J., Ibarra, A., Elnemer, W., Marx, R.G. (2023). Medial Collateral Ligament in the Multiligament Knee Injury: Diagnosis, Evaluation, Management, and Outcomes. In: Sherman, S.L., Chahla, J., Rodeo, S.A., LaPrade, R. (eds) Knee Arthroscopy and Knee Preservation Surgery. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-82869-1_40-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-82869-1_40-1

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  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-82869-1

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