Medial Collateral Ligament Tear (MCL) / Injury Treatment

A medial collateral ligament (MCL) tear occurs as a result of damage to the medial collateral ligament, a major ligament that is found on the inner side of an individual’s knee. A ligament is a strong band of tissue that holds organs in place or joins one bone to another bone.

The tear may be full (all the ligament’s fibers are torn) or partial (the ligament is torn into two pieces).

The MCL alongside other ligaments provides strength and stability to the knee joint. The other three primary ligaments include:

• The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
• The lateral collateral ligament (LCL)
• The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)

Symptoms of an MCL Tear

The severity of an MCL tear can affect the symptoms one experiences. These symptoms include:

• Pain in the knee
• Stiffness and swelling in the knee
• A popping sound at the time of the injury
• Experiencing pain on the inside of the knee
• A feeling that the knee is going to “give out ” if you put weight on it

Diagnosis of MCL Tear

The doctor will conduct a physical examination to determine if the patient has a tone MCL. He/she will bend the patient’s knee and apply pressure to it. This will help determine if the knee is loose.

Imaging tests will be recommended to make sure the patient doesn’t have any other injuries in the knees as well as to see how severe the MCL tear is.

One or more of the following tests may be used to diagnose an MCL tear:

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This test uses magnetic waves to give detailed images of a person’s tissue and bones. It assists the doctor in determining whether the patient’s knee has any other soft injuries.
• Ultrasound: Uses sound waves to take pictures inside the patient’s body. This can help the doctor to see how severe the patient’s MCL tear is and if he/she has any other injuries in the knee.
• X-ray: To be sure the patient doesn’t have any broken bones or other problems in the knee, the doctor normally takes an x-ray of it.

Treatment of MCL Tear

The majority of patients who have MCL tear usually recover after non-surgical treatment. This is because an individual’s MCL has a good blood supply, which makes it easier for his/her tear to heal. Non-surgical MCL tear treatment options include:

• The use of crutches: The healthcare provider may advise the patient to use crutches to walk so as to limit the amount of weight one puts on the affected knee.
• Physical therapy: Physical exercises may be recommended to improve the patient’s strength and range of motion in the knee.
• The use of RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) method: This strategy involves resting the knee, icing, wearing an elastic bandage, and elevating the knee while resting.
• Pain medication
• Wearing a knee brace: The knee brace prevents the patient’s knee from moving side to side so that his/her MCL can heal.