Symptoms of MCL Sprains and Tears
- A “popping” sound when the injury occurs.
- Immediate sharp pain from the inner section of the knee.
- Immediate swelling at the inner knee.
- Tenderness around the inner knee.
- Increased pain a few hours after the injury.
- Bruising around the knee, especially around the location of the MCL (inner knee).
When your MCL is damaged, your knee can over-extend itself, or bend too far in a direction that it's not supposed to bend. You may heal on your own with basic care, rest, and rehab. But if your injury is severe, you may need to have surgery.
Manual therapy techniques including massage may be used as part of a rehabilitation program. Massage to the injured tissues should be avoided in the early acute stages.
In a mild Grade I MCL sprain, the knee ligament has a slight stretch, but they don't actually tear. Knee swelling and bruising are common, and use of the knee joint is usually painful and difficult. You may have some complaints of instability or a feeling of the knee giving way.
MCL injuries hurt. Most people feel pain along the inside edge of the knee, and they also have swelling. You might hear a pop when the damage to the knee takes place, and your knee may lurch to the side. You may find it hard to walk, or feel like you can't put pressure on the leg with the hurt knee.
Quad sets
- Sit with your affected leg straight and supported on the floor or a firm bed. Place a small, rolled-up towel under your knee.
- Tighten the thigh muscles of your affected leg by pressing the back of your knee down into the towel.
- Hold for about 6 seconds, then rest for up to 10 seconds.
- Repeat 8 to 12 times.
Healthguidance.org recommends elevating the ankle slightly to drain fluids and prevent unnecessary swelling, so place a pillow or some blankets under the offending ankle while you sleep. Also apply some ice before going to bed to reduce inflammation.
MCL injuries hurt. Most people feel pain along the inside edge of the knee, and they also have swelling. You might hear a pop when the damage to the knee takes place, and your knee may lurch to the side. You may find it hard to walk, or feel like you can't put pressure on the leg with the hurt knee.
An MCL tear causes pain on the inside of the knee. Tearing the MCL is likely to cause more severe pain that spraining the ligament. A person may notice a popping sound at the time of the injury. The knee may feel stiff, and a person may have difficulty straightening their leg or bending their knee.
Grade 3 — Considerable pain and tenderness at the inside of the knee; some swelling and marked joint instability. The knee opens up about 1 centimeter (slightly less than half an inch) when the doctor moves your leg around. A grade 3 MCL tear often occurs along with a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament.
Finding a Best MCL Brace for You
One of the best MCL braces is the DonJoy Playmaker Knee Brace because you can use it for everyday activities or during sports. The strap design of the Playmaker enhances support of the knee joint, which helps prevent MCL injuries and provides stability for a recovering MCL.Although the knee joint may not hurt or swell very much, a mild ligament sprain can increase the risk of a repeat injury. With a moderate Grade II MCL sprain, the knee ligament tears partially. With a severe Grade III MCL sprain, the ligament tears completely, causing swelling and sometimes bleeding under the skin.
When the medial collateral ligament is injured, most experience pain along the inner knee, and some can actually describe feeling or hearing a “pop.” For the first few days after the injury, the inner part of the knee can appear swollen and “black and blue” (ecchymotic) and is almost always tender to the touch.
Teens with a torn MCL usually need to take time off from sports, especially the sport in which the injury happened. If there is no pain and the knee does not "give way," they can usually walk, stretch, and do low-impact activities such as swimming. Most teens with a low-grade MCL tear are back to sports within 6 weeks.
ACTIVITIES AND EXERCISES AFTER INJURY TO THE MEDIAL COLLATERAL LIGAMENT (MCL) OF THE KNEE. and the following exercise program are recommended. Utilize a stationary bicycle to move the knee joint and increase knee flexion. You may ride the cycle with no resistance for 20 to 30 minutes a day.
ACTIVITIES AND EXERCISES AFTER INJURY TO THE MEDIAL COLLATERAL LIGAMENT (MCL) OF THE KNEE. and the following exercise program are recommended. Utilize a stationary bicycle to move the knee joint and increase knee flexion.
Medial Collateral Ligament Sprain Exercises
- Passive knee extension: Do this exercise if you are unable to extend your knee fully.
- Heel slide: Sit on a firm surface with your legs straight in front of you.
- Clam exercise: Lie on your uninjured side with your hips and knees bent and feet together.
