how to rehab a partial mcl tear

Nonsurgical Treatment Options for MCL Tears or Sprains.

• Rest. Activities that irritates the knee, such as pivoting and walking for long periods of time, should be avoided until the symptoms get better.
• Ice. A person may be advised to apply ice packs to the knee to help reduce swelling and decrease pain.
• Compression. Wearing a tight, elastic bandage around the knee can help stop swelling.
• Elevation. Keeping the knee propped up above the waist can help decrease swelling.

Full Answer

What is the recovery time for a MCL tear?

Jun 23, 2020 · 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 a MCL tear heal without surgery?

Even a full MCL rupture should be entirely healed with the use of an appropriate MCL injury rehabilitation plan. When should I start rehab for MCL? three weeks after injury (grade 1) three weeks after injury, the pain and swelling have typically subsided and the swelling has decreased. You can now attempt to re-establish mobility in the knee by ...

What happens when you tear your MCL?

Recovering from an MCL tear depends on your willingness to follow your healthcare team’s treatment plan, which will likely include resting, using crutches and committing to physical therapy. The more you commit to your treatment plan, the better your MCL will be able to heal. Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 10/18/2021.

How can I tell if I tore my MCL?

Feb 02, 2021 · The severity of the injury, along with what exercises are appropriate There are many things to consider with MCL injury rehabilitation. The severity of the injury, along with what other tissues were damaged...

How do you rehab a partially torn MCL?

Hip adductionSit on the floor with your knees bent.Place a pillow between your knees.Put your hands slightly behind your hips for support.Squeeze the pillow by tightening the muscles on the inside of your thighs.Hold for 6 seconds, then rest for up to 10 seconds.Repeat 8 to 12 times.

Can a partially torn MCL heal on its own?

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.Oct 18, 2021

Can you play on a partially torn MCL?

Can Someone With a Torn MCL Play Sports? 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.

Can you rehab a torn MCL?

The majority of MCL tears are isolated injuries and many times are treated non-operatively. With a proper MCL injury rehabilitation protocol, even a complete MCL tear should completely heal.

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.

What does a partially torn MCL feel like?

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.Dec 18, 2020

Will walking on a torn MCL make it worse?

If the MCL or ACL tears, the result is usually pain, swelling, stiffness, and instability. In most cases, the injured person can still walk with the torn knee ligament. But the movement will be severely limited, not to mention painful. Surgery may be the best route to a pain-free life, with amazing success rates.

Will my MCL ever heal?

As previously noted, recovery times vary widely, but in general: 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. A grade 2 tear can take from two to four weeks to heal.

Should you exercise with an MCL injury?

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.

What is the fastest way to recover from an MCL injury?

Treatment for MCL tears include: Exercises to strengthen muscles. Use of a protective knee brace during exercise....Treatment for MCL InjuryRest.Application of an ice pack application to reduce swelling that occurs hours after the injury.Compression using an elastic bandage or brace.Elevating the knee.Pain relievers.Sep 26, 2016

What helps ligaments heal faster?

Balance, control, and strengthening exercises can also help your ligaments heal more quickly than they otherwise would.

Is walking good for torn ligaments?

The quick answer is yes, typically you can walk with a torn ligament or tendon in the foot. Walking may be painful but you can typically still walk.

How long does it take to recover from a MCL tear?

However, most athletes return within 6 to 8 months time.

What is the best treatment for a MCL injury?

As previously discussed, the severity of injury to the MCL will dictate the course of rehabilitation. Nonoperative care has been the preferred treatment for most MCL injuries again due to the high quality of tissue healing.

What is the MCL in football?

One of the more commonly injured knee ligaments is the Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL). The MCL is on the inside part of the knee and runs from the medial epicondyle of the femur to the medial aspect of the proximal tibia. The MCL provides stability and support to the knee during lateral or cutting movements. In particular, it resists valgus stress and prevents your shin, or tibia, from bending inward. However, like with all ligaments, if an extremely large force is applied to the ligament, it can be sprained or even completely ruptured. One of the most common ways this can occur on the football field is being hit and tackled on the outside of the knee, while the foot is planted in the ground. This particular mechanism of injury can result in either an isolated MCL injury or a multi-ligamentous injury, in which other knee ligaments and/or soft tissue structures are additionally injured.

What are the three soft tissue structures that are injured when valgus stresses are applied to the knee?

When valgus stresses are applied to the knee, many times a group of three soft-tissue structures are injured: the MCL, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), and the medial meniscus.

What is a P rehab program?

The Knee [P]Rehab Program is a physical therapist developed, step-by-step program that teaches you how to optimize your knee health. This 3-phase program will expose you to various knee and lower body strengthening and stabilization exercises supported by science. This program will bulletproof your knees for anything life throws at you! Learn more HERE!

How long does it take for a ligament to heal?

For instance, a grade I ligament sprain may take up to 4 weeks to heal; however, a grade II can take up to 4 months! It is important to know that these are averages of tissue healing times, and there are many more prognostic indicators that play a role in establishing healing times, which vary from person to person. Moreover, these timelines are based solely on the biological properties of the tissue. Understanding the basics of differences in healing times will help you gain perspective when recovering from an injury. You can read more on this topic below in our tissue healing article!

Is MCL a common injury?

Medial collateral ligament (MCL) injuries are not super common in isolation; however, they do still occur mostly in sports, and can be one of the structures involved in more serious knee injuries. In most cases, the prognosis is good for these injuries with proper treatment. In this article, we will cover MCL injury rehabilitation considerations, ...

How to heal a knee injury?

The knee should be protected with a short-hinged brace for 3 to 6 weeks , depending upon the severity of the injury. Crutches and restricted weight bearing may be needed, as instructed by the doctor. Apply ice to control swelling. Elevate the leg and use elastic stockings if the leg is swollen. As the pain lessens and the swelling decreases, try to gradually regain knee motion. Avoid pivoting or twisting the knee because it might be unstable and give out. Be careful getting out of cars, or catching your toe on a rug. When walking, bear weight according to your doctor’s instructions.

What is the purpose of the MCL handout?

This handout is to help you rebuild the strength of the knee muscles after injury to the MCL of the knee. It is intended as a guideline to help you organize a structured approach to strengthen the knee.

How to straighten knees?

Standing sideways to the step, slowly step up onto the step and slowly straighten the knee using the quadriceps muscles. Slowly lower the opposite foot to touch the floor. Do not land on the floor, just touch gently and repeat the step up.

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.

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.

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.

How to stretch MCL?

MCL stretching exercises include ankle stretches and lower leg stretches. To perform a basic ankle stretch, sit down on the ground with your injured leg extended and other leg bent at the knee. Extend your toes out and away from your body, pushing forward until you feel a stretch. Hold for 10 seconds before relaxing.

What are some exercises to help with MCL?

Although rest and ice will most often be the first steps in your treatment, you will also be combating stiffness due to inactivity. MCL stretching exercises include ankle stretches and lower leg stretches .

How to strengthen knee muscles?

Muscle strengthening exercises range from leg extensions to hip rotations. To perform a leg extension , sit down at a leg extension machine with of your feet on the pad of the exercise machine. Select a weight that is appropriate for the current strength of your leg and push on the pad until your legs are fully extended. Return slowly to your starting position and repeat.

How to get your knees back to normal?

With your arms at your sides, bend your injured knee up and toward your buttocks, contracting it until your foot is flat on the floor. Hold this position for several seconds before extending your leg back out again.

How to treat hyperextended toe?

Physical Therapy Exercises for a Hyperextended Toe. Learn More. You should only perform weight bearing exercises after you have properly strengthened the muscles around your knee and stretched the ligaments in your knee. Weight bearing exercises include walking and bike riding.

How to get your knees to return to their original elasticity?

Range of motion exercises are designed to help return your ligaments to their original elasticity as well as relieve tension placed on your knee joints. To perform a knee extension, lie down on your back with your legs extended.

How long does it take to recover from a knee ligament tear?

Although a full tear might require surgery and weeks of rehabilitation, you may be able to recover from a partial tear or strain to full strength in a matter of days or weeks.

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.

What is a grade 2 MCL sprain?

A Grade II MCL sprain is caused by a greater valgus stress force. Physical findings include marked tenderness over the MCL, mild to moderate swelling and pain and laxity on valgus stress testing. The knee should be stable at full extension, with laxity only present at 30 degrees flexion. Rehabilitation guidelines are as follows:

What is grade 1 MCL?

A grade I (mild) MCL sprain has local tenderness on the medial femoral condyle or medial tibial plateau, with minimal swelling (Brukner & Khan, 2012). There will be pain but no laxity on valgus stress testing at 30 degrees knee flexion. Rehabilitation guidelines are as follows:

What is medial collateral ligament injury?

Medial collateral ligament injuries occur following a traumatic valgus force, often while the knee is slightly flexed. Edson (2006) provides a comprehensive overview of the current recommended conservative management of MCL injuries, I highly recommend all physiotherapists read this article. This blog aims to provide a succinct overview of the rehabilitation of MCL injuries, with the approach I use to return an individual to full function.

What is the focus of rehabilitation?

In summary, the focus of the rehabilitation is to ensure the correct muscle activation and joint alignment throughout any exercise. The chosen exercise isn't important, as long as the patient feels the muscle working in the correct area. Alicia.

Is grade III ligament tear conservative?

Grade III tears are also usually treated conservatively unless associated with injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament or posterior cruciate ligament. ”. — Edson, C. J. (2006). Conservative and postoperative rehabilitation of isolated and combined injuries of the medial collateral ligament.

How to raise injured leg on stairs?

Stand sideways on the bottom step of a staircase with your injured leg on the step and your other foot on the floor. Hold on to the banister or wall. Use your injured leg to raise yourself up, bringing your other foot level with the stair step. Make sure to keep your hips level as you do this.

How to do a slide 2 of 10?

slide 2 of 10, Heel slides on a wall, Lie on the floor close enough to a wall so that you can place both legs up on the wall. Your hips should be as close to the wall as is comfortable for you. Start with both feet resting on the wall. Slowly let the foot of your affected leg slide down the wall until you feel a stretch in your knee.

How to get rid of a swollen hamstring?

Your good leg should be straight and supported on the floor. Tighten the muscles on the back of your bent leg (hamstring) by pressing your heel into the floor. Hold for about 6 seconds, then rest for up to 10 seconds.

How to straighten a swollen knee?

Lift the lower part of your affected leg and straighten your knee by tightening your thigh muscle. Keep the bottom of your knee on the foam roll or rolled-up towel.

How to get your heel back?

Lie on your back with your knees bent. Slide your heel back by bending your affected knee as far as you can. Then hook your other foot around your ankle to help pull your heel even farther back. Hold for about 6 seconds, then rest for up to 10 seconds. Repeat 8 to 12 times.

How to do hip abduction?

slide 8 of 10, Hip abduction, You will need a small pillow for this exercise. Sit on the floor with your affected knee close to a wall. Bend your affected knee but keep the other leg straight in front of you. Place a pillow between the outside of your knee and the wall.