What is the recovery time for a MCL tear?
Treatment Options and Recovery for MCL Sprains and Tears
- Nonsurgical Treatment Options for MCL Tears or Sprains. Activities that irritates the knee, such as pivoting and walking for long periods of time, should be avoided until the symptoms get ...
- MCL Tear or Sprain Nonsurgical Recovery Time. ...
- Platelet Rich Plasma for MCL Tears. ...
- Surgery for an MCL Tear. ...
Can a MCL tear heal without surgery?
While most MCL injuries can resolve without surgery, there are instances where surgery is the best treatment option. The surgery will either repair or reconstruct the MCL. To repair the ligament, your surgeon will make an incision at the torn area and use fixation devices called suture anchors to secure the ligament back to the bone.
How do you tear your MCL?
- Put ice or a cold pack on your knee for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. ...
- If your doctor recommended crutches or a brace, use them as directed.
- Prop up your leg on a pillow when you ice it or anytime you sit or lie down. ...
- Take anti-inflammatory medicines to reduce pain and swelling. ...
Do MCL tears require surgery?
You can suffer a torn MCL from a blow to the outside of your knee. Generally MCL injuries don’t need surgery. Often rest from sports and wearing a brace can help the MCL heal. The MCL does not show up on x-rays, but an MRI can show an MCL injury.
Can MCL tear heal itself?
A grade 1 MCL tear (minor tear) can usually heal on its own with rest within one to three weeks. Grade 2 and grade 3 MCL tears, which are more severe, need proper treatment in order to heal, which can include resting, wearing a knee brace and doing physical therapy.
How do you heal a torn MCL naturally?
The injury tends to heal on its own with rest over a period of a few weeks. You should do a few things right away to ensure that you heal quickly and completely: Immediately after the injury, you should apply ice to help with pain and relieve swelling. Elevate your knee over your heart using cushions.
How long does it take to heal from torn MCL?
MCL Tear or Sprain Nonsurgical Recovery Time It can take anywhere from a few days to 8 weeks for an MCL injury to heal and a person to return to normal activities and sports.
How is a MCL tear repaired?
Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) Surgery If the medial collateral ligament has been torn where it attaches to the thighbone (femur) or shinbone (tibia), the surgeon will re-attach the ligament to the bone using large stitches or a metal screw or bone staple.
Is walking good for torn ligaments?
The short answer is yes. After the pain and swelling subsides and if there is no other injury to your knee, you may be able to walk in straight lines, go up and down stairs and even potentially jog in a straight line.
Do MCL tears need surgery?
In most cases, MCL injuries do not require surgery, and they may heal on their own after some time. You must avoid putting too much pressure on the affected knee by getting plenty of rest and using crutches to support the injured leg.
Will walking on a torn MCL make it worse?
Walking is beneficial in the healing process of MCL sprains. But should not be done before the knee is completely pain-free, or it can make things worse for the injury.
How can I tell if my MCL is torn?
If the medial collateral ligament has been damaged or torn, you will usually have:Pain, which can range from mild to severe.Stiffness.Swelling.Tenderness along the inside of the knee.A feeling that the injured knee may give way under stress or may lock or catch.
How do I know if I tore my MCL or meniscus?
How Can I Tell If I Tore My MCL? Signs & Symptoms to Watch ForA popping sound when the injury is sustained.Pain (ranging from mild to severe depending on injury grade) on the inside of the knee.Instability, or feeling like the knee cannot bear weight and may give out.Knee stiffness.More items...•
Will walking on a torn MCL make it worse?
Walking is beneficial in the healing process of MCL sprains. But should not be done before the knee is completely pain-free, or it can make things worse for the injury.
What helps ligaments heal faster?
How to Heal Strained Ligaments FasterApply ice to the strained ligament to alleviate pain and swelling. ... Use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, NSAIDs, to repair strained ligaments. ... Engage in physical therapy once swelling and pain has decreased. ... Get surgery if the ligament is severely torn.
How do I strengthen my MCL?
0:012:17Strengthening Exercises for Medial Collateral Ligament MCL knee ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipStraight leg raise exercises. Also work the quad muscles to prevent muscle wasting in the earlyMoreStraight leg raise exercises. Also work the quad muscles to prevent muscle wasting in the early stages just raise the leg a few inches off the floor. And hold for five seconds.
How do you tell if MCL is torn or sprained?
How Can I Tell If I Tore My MCL? Signs & Symptoms to Watch ForA popping sound when the injury is sustained.Pain (ranging from mild to severe depending on injury grade) on the inside of the knee.Instability, or feeling like the knee cannot bear weight and may give out.Knee stiffness.More items...•
How long does it take for a knee ligament to heal?
When this happens, you may face a recovery time of weeks to months, depending on the grade of the MCL tear.
How to treat grade 3 MCL tear?
Treatment of Grade III MCL Tears. When a grade III MCL tear occurs, patients should brace their knee and use crutches until the pain has subsided. 7 The knee can be immobilized for a few days initially, but early range-of-motion will help in the recovery process. Once the patient can begin bending their knee, ...
Do MCL tears need surgery?
MCL tears often do not need surgery. There are many studies that document successful nonsurgical treatment in nearly all types of MCL injuries. 8 Most surgeons agree that for patients who complain of persistent knee instability, despite appropriate nonsurgical treatment, surgery is reasonable. 9
Can you brace your MCL?
Treatment always begins with allowing the pain to subside, beginning work on mobility, followed by strengthening the knee to return to sports and activities. 3 Bracing can often be useful for the treatment of MCL injuries. Fortunately, most often surgery is not necessary for the treatment of an MCL tear.
Can you bend your knees with a hinged knee brace?
Once the patient can begin bending their knee, early range-of-motion exercises should commence, including stationary bicycling. 7 Normal walking and progression to jogging can begin as pain allows. Use of a hinged knee brace is usually very helpful to support the knee, especially in the earlier stages of rehab.
What is a grade 2 MCL injury?
Grade 2: In a Grade 2 MCL injury, the ligament is partially torn. Treatment is similar to a Grade I trauma, but patients may be advised to stabilize the knee with a brace while they recover. Grade 3: The most severe MCL injury, a Grade 3 MCL trauma means the ligament is completely torn.
What is the MCL?
An MCL tear or rupture can be a debilitating injury, but it often responds well to conservative treatment options like physical therapy. The medial collateral ligament (MCL) runs along the inside of the knee and connects the shinbone, or tibia, to the femur, or thighbone.
How long does it take to recover from a knee injury?
It also requires a longer recovery time, typically about three months. In addition to wearing a brace or taking pressure of the knee with crutches, you’ll undergo physical therapy to increase the joint’s range of motion. You can also start walking and pedaling on a stationary bike when the pain subsides.
How to strengthen the muscles around the knee?
Patients can strengthen the muscles surrounding the knee with exercises, including: Hamstring Curl: Stand straight on one leg and tighten the stomach muscles. Bend the other knee and slowly raise the heel toward the buttocks. Hold for 30 seconds and repeat with the other leg.
How to do a squat on a wall?
Wall Slide: With a straight back and feet flat on the floor, stand against a wall. Slide down slowly, ending in a squatting position. Hold for 30 seconds, and then rise.
Can you repair a torn MCL?
Only in cases where the tear hasn’t healed after conservative therapy or other knee ligaments are damaged is surgery recommended. Surgery to repair a torn MCL involves stitching the ends of the ligament together or re-attaching it to the bone.
Can a tear in the knee cause pain?
A tear will also cause pain, swelling, and tenderness. The knee may feel stiff, making it painful to straighten or bend the joint. An MCL injury creates a feeling of instability as well, so it may be difficult to put weight on the knee. MCL injuries are grouped into three grades, each with a different level of severity.
What is the MCL in knee surgery?
MCL Surgery, Repair & Treatment – Knee Pain & Injuries. The medial collateral ligament (MCL) connects the top of your shinbone (tibia) to the bottom of your femur (thighbone). Located outside of your knee joint, this ligament helps hold your bones together and adds stability to your knee.
What are the symptoms of an MCL tear?
Most commonly, the following symptoms are reported after an MCL injury: A popping sound at the time of injury. A swollen knee joint. Pain and tenderness along the inside edge of ...
What to do if you have a grade 3 MCL tear?
A nonsurgical treatment plan will include some or all of the following: Applying ice to reduce swelling.
What tendon connects the tibia and the kneecap?
Methods for reattaching or reconstructing the torn ligament can vary. Options include using a portion of the patellar tendon (which connects the tibia and the kneecap) or the hamstring tendon (from the back of the thigh). Tendon grafts can come from the patient or an organ donor.
How long does it take for a MCL tear to heal?
Surgery is not always necessary for MCL repair since minor tears will typically heal on their own within a few weeks. However, if the MCL was completely torn with no functioning in the ligament, surgery will be needed.
How to diagnose MCL?
Diagnosing an MCL Injury. Your physician will need to first examine your knee by bending or applying pressure to the outside of the joint. This will also tell them if your knee is loose. From there, an orthopaedic surgeon will likely order imaging tests to get a look at your knee joint.
How to treat a knee injury that is not surgical?
A nonsurgical treatment plan will include some or all of the following: Applying ice to reduce swelling. Taking anti-inflammatory medication to reduce pain and swelling. Using an elastic bandage or brace to compress the knee. Walking with crutches to keep the weight off the injured knee.
How long does it take for a MCL tear to heal?
As previously noted, recovery times vary widely, but in general: 1 A grade 1 (minor) MCL tear can take from a few days to a week and a half to heal enough for a return to normal activities, including sports. 2 A grade 2 tear can take from two to four weeks to heal. 3 A grade 3 tear usually takes four to eight weeks to heal, unless the ACL is also damaged, in which case recovery may take longer.
How to repair MCL?
To repair the ligament, your surgeon will make an incision at the torn area and use fixation devices called suture anchors to secure the ligament back to the bone. To reconstruct the ligament, your surgeon will use tendons from either your knee or a cadaver knee.
How to treat a knee tear?
Measures include: Taking oral medications that relieve pain and inflammation, such as aspirin and ibuprofen. Wearing a brace that allows the knee to bend while restricting side-to-side movement.
How long does it take to recover from knee surgery?
After surgery, you'll use crutches and a knee brace for about six weeks. At a post-op visit one to two weeks after surgery, your doctor will check your knee and remove the stitches. Recovery time depends on any related knee injuries but is generally between nine and 12 months.
How to heal a sore knee?
Depending on the injury's severity, these methods – a period of rest, bracing and physical therapy – usually suffice to heal the tear.
Can you have surgery on a torn MCL?
However, if the torn ligament doesn't heal sufficiently, you may experience instability and be more susceptible to reinjury. Surgery may be required in rare cases. Once the MCL has fully healed, you should have minimal long-term effects, provided your knee suffered no other damage.
Overview of an MCL Sprain
If your MCL is overextended or overtaxed, then the ligament can become sprained or torn. This injury commonly occurs while participating in sports and is usually caused by twisting, cutting, or bending movements. Additionally, a blow or tackle to the outside of the knee can also cause this condition. 1
Treatment Options for an MCL Sprain
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:
A Word From Verywell
After sustaining an MCL injury, it is vital to know the treatment options at your disposal. Following a thorough examination, your doctor will properly diagnose your condition and guide you through the interventions that are appropriate for you.
How to tell if you have a MCL injury?
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 kne e.
How long does it take for a MCL to heal?
It’s rare for someone with an MCL injury to need surgery, since this ligament can often heal within a few weeks or months with the help of other measures.
Why does my MCL tear?
Causes. 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. People who play football, hockey, and other sports where players impact other athletes with great force may injure their MCL this way. You may also stretch or tear your MCL if your knee is suddenly pushed to ...
What happens if you hit your knee hard?
Symptoms. Diagnosis. Treatment. If you collide with another player when you’re playing a sport and the side of your knee is hit hard, your MCL may be injured. The MCL (medial collateral ligament) is a band of tissue that runs along the inner edge of your knee. It helps to connect your shin and thigh bones to keep your knee stable ...
What to do if your knee is sore?
You’ll need to raise your sore knee when you put ice on it, keep weight off the joint, and protect and compress the injury with a knee brace or elastic bandage. To ease pain and swelling, your doctor may have you take NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen.
Can you bend your knee when you have a MCL injury?
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.
Can MRI show MCL?
Your doctor may also want to do some imaging tests of your knee: MRI. An MRI study can show MCL damage, so your doctor will know how bad your strain or tear is. X-ray. It won’t show your MCL, but it can show whether you have a broken bone. Stress X-ray.
