What Can Cause An MCL Tear?

MCL injuries commonly occur when such a

strong force hits the outside of the knee

that it causes the MCL – and possibly other knee ligaments, such as the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) – to stretch or tear.

Can you walk with a torn MCL?

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.

What does an MCL tear feel like?

An injury to the MCL leads to

swelling and pain in the medial

, or inner, aspect of the knee. Patients will often feel pain with knee bending or twisting maneuvers. When an MCL tear is severe, the athlete can feel a sense of instability or opening on the inside of the knee.

How do you tear your MCL?

MCL injuries commonly occur in football players who get

“clipped” or hit on the outer side of the knee

. Other causes may include twisting and turning while skiing, blows received on the soccer field, trauma from a car accident, or turning the knee sharply while the foot is planted on the ground.

Is it easy to tear your MCL?

When your outer knee is hit very

hard

, the MCL, which runs along your inner knee, can stretch out far enough to strain or tear.

How do you tell if MCL is torn or sprained?

1. A popping sound when the injury is sustained.
2. Pain (ranging from mild to severe depending on injury grade) on the inside of the knee.
3. Instability, or feeling like the knee cannot bear weight and may give out.
4. Knee stiffness.

How do I know if I tore my MCL or meniscus?

1. A popping sensation.
2. Swelling or stiffness.
3. Pain, especially when twisting or rotating your knee.
4. Difficulty straightening your knee fully.
5. Feeling as though your knee is locked in place when you try to move it.

How do I know if my MCL is damaged?

1. Pain, which can range from mild to severe.
2. Stiffness.
3. Swelling.
4. Tenderness along the inside of the knee.
5. A feeling that the injured knee may give way under stress or may lock or catch.

Does MCL tear require surgery?

Since Grade III MCL injuries are complete tears,

the ligament is unable to heal itself and surgery is needed

. Surgery may also be needed if there is any grade of an MCL tear along with other ligament issues. A nonsurgical treatment plan will include some or all of the following: Applying ice to reduce swelling.

How do you check for MCL damage?

An exam will include checking for pain or tenderness along the inside of the knee and checking the integrity of

your MCL by exerting pressure on the outside of your knee while your leg is both bent and straight

.

Does a torn MCL hurt to touch?

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

.

How long does a sprained MCL take to heal?

Recovery time for an MCL injury depends on the severity of the damage. On average, these injuries take

six weeks

to heal. No matter the grade of the tear, initial treatment focuses on immobilizing the knee and reducing pain and inflammation.

Will a Grade 3 MCL tear heal on its own?

It is a relatively common injury in contact sports. While an MCL tear can be extremely painful, the good news is that the

tear usually heals on its own after a few weeks of rest

.

How do you sleep with a torn MCL?

To help find a comfortable sleep position, try using a

pillow

to support the painful parts. You can put the pillow: between your knees, if you sleep on your side. under your knees, if you sleep on your back.

Can you exercise with a torn MCL?

three weeks after injury (grade 1)

weeks following injury, the pain is usually subsiding and the swelling is lessened. You can now try to stretch the knee to regain motion.

Stationary cycle, swimming (flutter kick only)

and the following exercise program are recommended.

How do you heal a sprained MCL fast?

1. Rest.
2. Application of an ice pack application to reduce swelling that occurs hours after the injury.
3. Compression using an elastic bandage or brace.
4. Elevating the knee.
5. Pain relievers.