Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsOverview of an MCL SprainTreatment Options for an MCL Sprain
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Overview of an MCL Sprain
Treatment Options for an MCL Sprain
Themedial collateral ligament(MCL) is an important structure that provides stability to theinside of your knee. Running from the thigh bone (thefemur) to the lower leg bone (thetibia), this ligament prevents the knee from buckling inward into a knock-kneed (valgus) position.
If the MCL is sprained, it can cause knee pain, swelling, and reduced mobility of the joint. In this article, we’ll discuss treatment options, including home interventions, medication, and physical therapy.
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An MCL sprain can cause several different symptoms, including:
Typically, your doctor will use the following classification scale to diagnose this injury:
An MCL sprain is a significant injury that can dramatically limit your ability to play sports or go about your daily life. But, fortunately, there are treatment options that can get you back to feeling like yourself.
Shortly after an MCL sprain, your knee will be painful, swollen, and inflamed. During this acute phase, several treatments can help reduce these early symptoms. Depending on the severity of the injury, your doctor may also recommend physical therapy or surgery. Treatment options may include the following:
RICE Principle
This treatment starts with taking a break from physical and potentially irritating activities. Next, ice can be applied to the knee, and the leg is elevated above your heart for 10–20 minutes at a time. This may be done every hour or so for the first three days after the sprain. Finally, a compressive bandage or sleeve can be used to help control the swelling. It is important, however, to ensure that the pressure is not so snug that it cuts off your circulation.
NSAIDs
It is important to speak to your doctor before using NSAIDs to manage the pain. This class of drugs can potentially lead to side effects like gastrointestinal bleeding, stroke, or even a heart attack in certain individuals.
Bracing
Physical Therapy
Along with issuing a brace, your doctor may also prescribe physical therapy (PT) to help you recover from grade 1 and some grade 2 MCL sprains. Early on in rehab, your physical therapist will focus on safely regaining the range of motion in your knee. Modalities likeelectrical stimulationor vasopneumatic compression (wearing a pressurized garment to manage swelling and inflammation) may also be utilized as needed to help control your pain and swelling.
Related:Physical Therapy Techniques for Knee Pain Relief
As therapy progresses, the focus will shift to building strength in the leg andimproving your overall balanceand stability. When your doctor clears you to discontinue the brace, PT can also help you regain a more normal walking pattern and wean you from any assistive devices (like crutches) you’ve been using.
Finally, the later stages of PT typically center around higher-level activities like running, jumping, or cutting. Instruction on proper mechanics is usually provided. These more demanding tasks also are reintroduced in a gradual fashion to minimize the chances of a reinjury. This entire process can last three months (or more) depending on the severity of the MCL injury.
Surgery
Related:Risks and Complications of Knee Arthroscopy Surgery
In these situations, the damaged MCL is often able to be either repaired or reconstructed during a minimally invasive procedure known asarthroscopic surgery. In this procedure, the surgeon uses a narrow scope with a camera on the end and special surgical tools to access the joint through a tiny keyhole incision.
A Word From Verywell
While this type of injury can significantly impact your ability to function, it is important to remember that a full recovery is possible. Whether it’s a milder grade 1 sprain or a severe grade 3 injury, a safe return to the activities you love is possible with the treatments outlined above.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.University of Michigan Health.Medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury.Laprade RF, WijdicksCA.The management of injuries to the medial side of the knee.J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2012;42(3):221-233. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2012.3624Gentile JM, O’BrienMC, Conrad B, Horodyski M, Bruner ML, Farmer KW.A biomechanical comparison shows no difference between two knee braces used for medial collateral ligament injuries.Arthroscopy, Sports Medicine, and Rehabilitation. 2021;3(3):e901-e907. doi: 10.1016/j.asmr.2021.03.004Varelas AN, EricksonBJ, Cvetanovich GL, Bach BR.Medialcollateral ligament reconstruction in patients with medial knee instability: asystematic review.Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine. 2017;5(5):232596711770392. doi:10.1177/2325967117703920
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.University of Michigan Health.Medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury.Laprade RF, WijdicksCA.The management of injuries to the medial side of the knee.J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2012;42(3):221-233. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2012.3624Gentile JM, O’BrienMC, Conrad B, Horodyski M, Bruner ML, Farmer KW.A biomechanical comparison shows no difference between two knee braces used for medial collateral ligament injuries.Arthroscopy, Sports Medicine, and Rehabilitation. 2021;3(3):e901-e907. doi: 10.1016/j.asmr.2021.03.004Varelas AN, EricksonBJ, Cvetanovich GL, Bach BR.Medialcollateral ligament reconstruction in patients with medial knee instability: asystematic review.Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine. 2017;5(5):232596711770392. doi:10.1177/2325967117703920
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
University of Michigan Health.Medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury.Laprade RF, WijdicksCA.The management of injuries to the medial side of the knee.J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2012;42(3):221-233. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2012.3624Gentile JM, O’BrienMC, Conrad B, Horodyski M, Bruner ML, Farmer KW.A biomechanical comparison shows no difference between two knee braces used for medial collateral ligament injuries.Arthroscopy, Sports Medicine, and Rehabilitation. 2021;3(3):e901-e907. doi: 10.1016/j.asmr.2021.03.004Varelas AN, EricksonBJ, Cvetanovich GL, Bach BR.Medialcollateral ligament reconstruction in patients with medial knee instability: asystematic review.Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine. 2017;5(5):232596711770392. doi:10.1177/2325967117703920
University of Michigan Health.Medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury.
Laprade RF, WijdicksCA.The management of injuries to the medial side of the knee.J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2012;42(3):221-233. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2012.3624
Gentile JM, O’BrienMC, Conrad B, Horodyski M, Bruner ML, Farmer KW.A biomechanical comparison shows no difference between two knee braces used for medial collateral ligament injuries.Arthroscopy, Sports Medicine, and Rehabilitation. 2021;3(3):e901-e907. doi: 10.1016/j.asmr.2021.03.004
Varelas AN, EricksonBJ, Cvetanovich GL, Bach BR.Medialcollateral ligament reconstruction in patients with medial knee instability: asystematic review.Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine. 2017;5(5):232596711770392. doi:10.1177/2325967117703920
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