How should a MCL sprain be treated?
How do you make your MCL heal faster? Rest the use of an ice pack to minimize swelling that occurs hours after the injury and other measures as necessary. Compression with an elastic bandage or brace is recommended. Keeping the knee elevated.
How to treat a MCL sprain?
Feb 02, 2021 · Exercises For MCL Injury Rehabilitation - [P]rehab. Skip to content. Toggle Navigation. About. Prehab Definition. Our Mission. Our Team. Career. Press & Contact.
How to strengthen your MCL?
Sep 24, 2021 · Treatment Options for an MCL Sprain. RICE Principle. Following your injury, the RICE principle is commonly recommended to get the inflammation around the sprained ligament under control. NSAIDs. Bracing. Physical Therapy. Surgery.
How can I tell if I tore my MCL?
Rehabilitation after Injury to the Medial Collateral Ligament of the Knee Phase 1: The first six weeks after injury (grade 2 and 3) three weeks after injury (grade 1) 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
How long does a strained MCL take to heal?
The time it takes to fully recover from an MCL tear depends on how severe the tear is. A grade 1 (mild) MCL tear usually heals within one to three weeks. A grade 2 (moderate) MCL tear generally takes four to six weeks to heal with treatment. A grade 3 (severe) MCL tear can take six weeks or more to heal with treatment.Oct 18, 2021
How do you heal a strained MCL?
If you have a mild MCL strain, it can heal on its own with rest, ice, and other self-care. 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.Dec 18, 2020
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
Is walking good for MCL sprain?
Rest your knee and avoid walking or any activity that causes pain. They may recommend using crutches and a knee brace to reduce further strain on your MCL when walking. Apply ice packs to the area for 15 to 20 minutes every two hours. Wrap the area with an elastic bandage for compression.Jul 20, 2020
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.
How do you tell if MCL is sprained or torn?
Symptoms of MCL Sprains and TearsA “popping” sound when the injury occurs. ... Immediate sharp pain from the inner section of the knee.Immediate swelling at the inner knee. ... Tenderness around the inner knee. ... Increased pain a few hours after the injury.More items...
What helps ligaments heal faster?
Balance, control, and strengthening exercises can also help your ligaments heal more quickly than they otherwise would.
What does an MCL sprain feel like?
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 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 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 rid of a swollen lower back?
You should be able to slip your hand in between the floor and the small of your back, with your palm touching the floor and your back touching the back of your hand. Tighten the thigh muscles in your affected leg by pressing the back of your knee flat down to the floor.
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 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.
How to get rid of a squat?
Keep your arms at your sides, or put your hands on your hips. Slowly squat down as if you are going to sit in a chair, rolling your back over the ball as you squat. The ball should move with you but stay pressed into the wall. Be sure that your knees do not go in front of your toes as you squat. Hold for 6 seconds.
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 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 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.
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.
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, ...
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.
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.
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
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 long does it take to recover from a MCL sprain?
A mild MCL injury or grade one sprain should take 3 to 6 weeks to make a full recovery. A more severe grade 2 or grade 3 injury may take 8 to 12 weeks. MCL rehabilitation program.
What is the MCL?
Anatomy. The medial collateral ligament (or MCL for short) connects the thigh bone (or femur) to the shin bone (or tibia) on the inside of the knee and prevents the knee joint from moving sideways, particularly from forces on the outside of the knee. The MCL itself has two parts to it; a deep section which attaches to the cartilage ...
What is a medial knee sprain?
Medial Knee Ligament (MCL Sprain) A Medial collateral knee ligament sprain or MCL sprain is a tear of the ligament on the inside of the knee. It is usually caused by twisting or direct impact, but may develop gradually over time through overuse. Here we explain the symptoms, causes, treatment and rehabilitation of an MCL sprain.
What is the best knee brace for grade 2 knee injury?
Wear a compression bandage or knee support to help reduce any swelling and protect the joint. A hinged knee brace is best particularly for grade 2 and 3 injuries. It has solid metal supports down the sides to prevent sideways movement of the joint.
What sports have medial ligaments?
Medial ligament injuries are common in contact sports such as football, rugby, and martial arts but they can also occur in activities of daily living as a result of falls that include a twisting action of the knee joint.
What exercises can I do to strengthen my ligaments?
Strengthening. As your ligament heals, strengthening exercises such as mini squats, leg press, and step-ups can be done. But movements involving a change of direction or sideways stresses should be avoided until much later in the rehabilitation program.
What is the best first aid for a swollen muscle?
A cold therapy and compression wrap is essential first aid. It reduces pain and swelling and can also be used to apply heat later in the rehabilitation program. Resistance bands. Resistance bands are important for most sports rehabilitation and enable you to exercise any muscle from the comfort of your own home.
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 to do leg extension?
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 treat a MCL tear?
Nonsurgical Treatment Options for MCL Tears or Sprains. Most everyone who has an MCL injury will be advised by a health care professional to follow the RICE method: 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.
What is the best treatment for MCL tears?
Platelet rich plasma (PRP) treatment, a form of regenerative medicine, may be recommended to people with high grade MCL tears. There are no long-term, robust studies done on the effectiveness of PRP injections for MCL tears; however, some people have seen positive results. 2 PRP is not considered standard practice and is typically not covered by ...
How is MCL surgery performed?
MCL surgery is generally performed through small open incisions on the inner (medial) knee. Recovery time from surgery will depend on the severity of the injury, the type of surgery performed, and other factors, such as age and overall health.
How long does it take for a MCL tear to heal?
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. Generally, the timeline is determined by the severity of the injury, although this is not true for every person. Grade I (sprain or overstretched) tears will typically heal ...
What to take for a rice knee?
advertisement. In addition to the RICE method, a person may be advised to: Take a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen. Wear a knee brace that allows the knee to move forward and backwards but restricts side-to-side movement.
Can you use crutches for a sprain?
Some people may work with a physical therapist for guided treatment. Use crutches to avoid weight-bearing. Crutches are not needed in all cases. Generally , a doctor will determine which nonsurgical treatments should be used based on the severity of the tear or sprain.
Can a surgeon reattach a torn MCL ligament?
If surgery is recommended, a surgeon will either: Reattach the torn portion of the ligament. Reconstruct and/or augment the ligament using a graft. An MCL graft can be constructed with a piece of tissue from elsewhere on the patient, such as the hamstring tendons, or from a donor.
