MCL Injury

Medial collateral ligament (MCL) is one of the major ligaments that keep the knee stable when you move. It is on the inside of the knee and keeps it from bending in. It can tear or overstretch, causing pain when the knee is in use.

What Causes an MCL Injury?

The ligament tears or overstretches when there is a blunt trauma or the knee is twisted too far. The knee bends inward while the foot bends outward. This usually occurs during sports activities (football, soccer) or car or bicycle accidents.

What Are the Symptoms of an MCL Injury?

At the time of the injury

• Popping sound at time of injury
• Sharp pain
• Swelling
• Knee cannot support your weight
• Limited mobility

Later on

• Knee gives way regularly
• Arthritis

How Is an MCL Injury Evaluated?

Your doctor will conduct a physical exam by gently:

• Moving your lower leg forward. If your leg moves without reaching a firm endpoint, your MCL is torn.
• Pivoting your knee to observe if the shinbone shifts on the thighbone.

Your doctor may order an MRI to confirm the diagnosis.

How Is an MCL Injury Treated?

Immediately after injury

• Seek immediate medical attention, especially if the foot turns cool and blue.
• Do not attempt to move the knee. Use a splint.

Nonsurgical

The nonsurgical approach is appropriate if:

• Your knee is stable during daily activities.
• Your knee cartilage hasn't been damaged.
• You are willing to forgo activities that require pivoting, sudden slowing down or jumping

The typical nonsurgical approach is:

• Wearing a knee brace or using crutches
• Physical therapy
• Follow the PRINCE treatment model:
• P rotect your knee with a supportive brace. Use crutches until the pain subsides.
• R est your knee.
• I ce your knee several times a day for 10 to 20 minutes, until swelling subsides.
• N onsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS) help with pain relief and swelling reduction.
• C ompression with an elastic compression wrap also helps reduce swelling—but it does not offer support when walking.
• E levation. Lie back and prop up your knee to reduce swelling.

Surgical

You may want to consider surgical reconstruction if your knee continues to give way, you'd like to return to a demanding sports activity, and you are willing to commit to at least six months of physical therapy after the surgery. Surgical treatment is done arthroscopically and can usually be done on an outpatient basis. It involves reconstructing the MCL by replacing it with another tendon from your own body or from a cadaver. If the meniscus is torn, that cartilage will be repaired at the same time. See MCL Repair Surgery .

For more information or to make an appointment please call
1-877-233-WELL (9355).