Medial knee injuries

Medial knee injuries (those to the inside of the knee) are the most common type of knee injury. The medial ligament complex of the knee consists of:

• superficial medial collateral ligament (sMCL), also called the medial collateral ligament (MCL) or tibial collateral ligament
• deep medial collateral ligament (dMCL), or mid-third medial capsular ligament
• posterior oblique ligament (POL), or oblique fibers of the sMCL

This complex is the major stabilizer of the medial knee. Injuries to the medial side of the knee are most commonly isolated to these ligaments. A thorough understanding of the anatomy and function of the medial knee structures, along with a detailed history and physical exam, are imperative to diagnosing and treating these injuries.