Ligament Injuries Overview
Your knee is held together by four main ligaments — and any of them can be sprained or torn. Some heal well with therapy; others need surgery to restore stability. Our orthopedic and sports medicine team treats knee ligament injuries across Long Island and northern New Jersey, with offices in Plainview, New Hyde Park, and Ronkonkoma, NY, and Clifton, Montville, and Plainfield, NJ.
The short version
- The knee’s four main ligaments are the ACL, PCL, MCL, and LCL — each stabilizes a different direction.
- Injuries range from mild sprains to complete tears, often from sports, twists, or direct blows.
- Many MCL and LCL injuries heal with bracing and therapy; ACL tears more often need reconstruction.
- Getting the specific ligament and grade right is what determines the treatment.
The knee’s four ligaments
Ligaments are strong bands of tissue that connect bone to bone and keep the knee stable. The knee has four main ones:
| Ligament | Where / role | Typical treatment |
|---|---|---|
| ACL (anterior cruciate) | Center; controls forward sliding and rotation | Often reconstruction in active people |
| PCL (posterior cruciate) | Center; controls backward sliding | Often nonsurgical; surgery for severe cases |
| MCL (medial collateral) | Inner side | Usually heals with bracing and therapy |
| LCL (lateral collateral) | Outer side | Often nonsurgical; surgery if severe |
Symptoms of a ligament injury
- Pain and swelling, sometimes with a “pop” at the time of injury
- A feeling of instability, or the knee giving way
- Tenderness over the injured ligament
- Difficulty bearing weight or moving the knee normally
How ligament injuries are treated
- Conservative care — many sprains and MCL/LCL injuries recover well with rest, bracing, and physical therapy.
- ACL reconstruction — complete ACL tears in active people often need ACL reconstruction to restore stability.
- Arthroscopic treatment — knee arthroscopy is used to reconstruct or address ligament and associated injuries through small incisions.
The key point: Not all ligament injuries are the same. An inner-side MCL sprain and a central ACL tear are very different problems with very different treatments — which is why an accurate diagnosis comes first.
Seek prompt care if: your knee swells quickly after an injury, feels unstable, or you can’t bear weight. Early evaluation protects the joint and guides the right treatment.
Related conditions
For the most common ligament injury, see our ACL tear page. Ligament injuries often accompany a torn meniscus. Return to our knee pain overview for more.
Why patients across Long Island and North Jersey choose Empire
We’re a local orthopedic and sports medicine practice, so your evaluation, surgery if needed, and rehab all happen close to home with the same team.
- New York: Plainview, New Hyde Park, and Ronkonkoma — across Nassau and Suffolk
- New Jersey: Clifton, Montville, and Plainfield — serving Passaic, Morris, and Union County communities
- Orthopedics and sports medicine under one roof
- Arthroscopic, minimally invasive techniques
Insurance
Coverage varies by plan and by location, and we accept many major insurance plans across our New York and New Jersey offices. The simplest way to know exactly what your plan covers is to call — our team will verify your benefits before your visit, so there are no surprises. Whether you’re on Long Island or in North Jersey, reach out and we’ll walk you through your options.
Frequently asked questions
Which knee ligament is injured most often?
The ACL and MCL are the most commonly injured. The ACL often tears during pivoting sports; the MCL is usually injured by a blow to the outer knee.
Do ligament injuries always need surgery?
No. MCL and many PCL and LCL injuries often heal with bracing and therapy. Complete ACL tears in active people more commonly need reconstruction.
How long does a ligament sprain take to heal?
Mild sprains can settle in a few weeks; more severe injuries take longer and may need surgery and rehab. Your timeline depends on which ligament and how severe.
How do I know which ligament I injured?
Through the mechanism of injury, a physical exam with specific stability tests, and imaging such as MRI. Each ligament has a characteristic pattern.
Can I walk with a torn knee ligament?
Sometimes, but a knee that feels unstable or gives way should be evaluated, and pushing through significant instability can risk further damage.
What happens if a ligament injury is untreated?
Ongoing instability, especially from an untreated ACL tear, can lead to further cartilage and meniscus damage over time. An evaluation helps protect the knee.
Unstable knee after an injury?
Our orthopedic and sports medicine team sees patients across Long Island, NY and northern New Jersey. We’ll identify the injured ligament and recommend the right treatment.
New York: 516-229-1443 | New Jersey: 732-630-7246
Medicare, Workers Comp,
No Fault & Others.
We accept most major insurance plans across our New York and New Jersey offices. Select your state to see accepted plans.
Accepted at our New York Locations
Workers' Compensation
No-Fault (NY & NJ)
Lien Cases
Medicare
Empire BCBS
BCBS / Anthem
Cigna
Aetna
Empire NYSHIP
Oxford (PPO)
United Health Care
GHI / Emblem Health
Humana (PPO)
Magnacare (PPO)
Northwell Direct
1199 SEIU
Self Pay
Accepted at our New Jersey Locations
No-Fault (NJ)
Lien Cases
Horizon BCBS
Empire NYSHIP
BCBS / Anthem (PPO)
Cigna
Aetna (PPO)
GHI / Emblem (PPO)
Port Authority UHC
Verizon Plan
Carpenter & Trade Unions
Self Pay
Medicare and Medicaid are not accepted at our New Jersey locations. Not sure about your plan? Call us and we'll verify before your visit.
Not sure about your plan?
Call Us — 516-229-1443
Verify Your Coverage for FREE
Enter your information and our team will confirm your benefits before your visit.
✓ HIPAA Compliant
✓ No Obligation
✓ Same-Day Response
Your information is encrypted and secure. By submitting, you consent to receive communications regarding your appointment. You may opt out at any time.
Meet Our Pain Management & Orthopedic Specialists
Dr. Monica Misak
Interventional Pain Specialist
Dr. James Yu, D.O.
Board Certified Anesthesiologist
Board Certified Interventional
Pain Management Physician
Dylan J. O'Rourke
Certified Physician Assistant
Pain Conditions Affecting Daily Life
Improve your quality of life with our comprehensive approach to pain management
We are dedicated to finding individualized treatment options tailored to fit your needs. Our team is dedicated to helping you lead a productive and active life, free from pain and disruption.
We use an integrative approach to conduct a comprehensive evaluation and assess your condition.
Physical examination and review of your medical history. We assess the cause of your pain, determine its severity and duration, and help you develop an individualized treatment plan.
We provide a range of treatments and procedures to address your chronic pain. These include nerve blocks, injections, physical therapy, implantable therapies and more. We also offer health education to help you better manage your condition.