Medial Collateral Ligament Tears
What is the medial collateral ligament?
The medial collateral ligament (MCL) is a wide, thick band of tissue that runs down the inner part of the knee from the thighbone (femur) to a point on the shinbone (tibia) about 4 to 6 inches from the knee.
The MCL's main function is to prevent the leg from extending too far inward, but it also helps keep the knee stable and allows it to rotate.
What causes tears in the medial collateral ligament?
Injuries to the medial collateral ligament most often happen when the knee is hit directly on its outer side. This stretches the ligaments on the inside of the knee too far or can tear them.
It is not uncommon for athletes to suffer tears of the medial collateral ligament and anterior cruciate ligament at the same time. The ligament also can be injured through repeated stress. This causes the ligament to lose its normal stretch and elasticity similar to a worn-out rubber band.
What are symptoms of tears in the medial collateral ligament?
If the medial collateral ligament has been damaged or torn, you will usually have:
- Pain, which can range from mild to severe
- Tenderness along the inside of the knee
- A feeling that the injured knee may give way under stress or may lock or catch
How are tears in the medial collateral ligament diagnosed?
Your doctor will ask you to describe how the knee was injured, whether you have had other knee injuries and how your knee has felt since the injury. You may be asked about your physical and athletic goals. This helps your doctor decide what treatment might be best for you.
During the physical exam, the inside of the injured knee will be checked for pain or tenderness. Pressure will be put on the outside of the knee while the leg is both bent and straight. Depending on the degree of pain or looseness of your knee joint, the injury will be classified as:
- Grade 1 — Some tenderness and minor pain.
- Grade 2 — Noticeable looseness in the knee when moved by hand; major pain and tenderness at the inside of the knee; swelling, in some cases.
- 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.
If the immediate pain and swelling makes it too difficult to judge how severe the injury is, you may need to wear a light splint, apply ice and raise the knee. Once the swelling and pain have lessened, your doctor will make the diagnosis.
Your doctor may order a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. An MRI has an accuracy rate of nearly 90 percent in determining whether and how badly a medial collateral ligament tear is.
How are tears in the medial collateral ligament treated?
The medial collateral ligament has a good blood supply and usually responds well to nonsurgical treatment. Depending on how bad the injury is, it may be enough to rest the knee, wear a brace, take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen and have physical therapy.
To keep the knee from moving, your doctor may recommend a lightweight cast or brace that allows your knee to move backward and forward but limits side-to-side motion. This usually is recommended for 72 hours. Depending on how well your pain and swelling improve, you may be able to start a rehabilitative program in a few days.
Once pain and swelling have gone down, you should be able to start exercises to restore strength and normal range of motion to your knee. If you are still sore while doing exercises, you should proceed slowly to prevent further irritation. It may take a week to eight weeks to completely recover, depending on the seriousness of your injury.
A torn medial collateral ligament is rarely treated with surgery. When surgery is done, it is usually done through a small incision on the inside of your knee. It is not done arthroscopically, since this ligament is not inside the knee joint.
If the medial collateral ligament has been torn where it attaches to the thighbone or shinbone, the surgeon will reattach the ligament to the bone using large stitches, a metal screw or a bone staple. If the tear was in the middle of the ligament, the surgeon will sew the torn ends together.
- The medial collateral ligament's main function is to prevent the leg from extending too far inward, but it also helps keep the knee stable and allows it to rotate.
- Injuries to the medial collateral ligament most often happen when the knee is hit directly on its outer side.
- The medial collateral ligament has a good blood supply and usually responds well to nonsurgical treatment.
Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:
- Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen.
- Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
- Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells you.
- At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you.
- Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed, and how it will help you. Also know what the side effects are.
- Ask if your condition can be treated in other ways.
- Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.
- Know what to expect if you do not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.
- If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.
- Know how you can contact your provider if you have questions.