What is the initial phase of rehab for an MCL injury?
Feb 02, 2021 · Early Phase MCL Injury Rehabilitation. The goals during the initial phase of rehab after an MCL injury is to calm down the area where insult occurred at the knee. This includes reducing swelling, modulating pain, and avoiding activities that will stress the MCL.
How long does it take to recover from an MCL sprain?
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 it take to recover from a Grade 1 MCL?
Sep 17, 2021 · Recovery from an MCL injury is very dependent on the grade of your MCL tear. Recovery from a grade 1 MCL injury can be as short as a few weeks. Once your range of motion and strength have recovered most grade 1 MCL injuries can anticipate a full return to sports. MCL injuries do tend to be painful so the pain from the injury might linger on for a month or two. The …
What are the best ways to treat a MCL sprain?
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. Rehab exercises after an MCL injury include stretches and muscle strengthening exercises. Stretching
How do you rehab a MCL injury?
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.
How long are players out with sprained MCL?
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.
Is walking good for MCL sprain?
Your physical therapist may advise you to: 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.Jul 20, 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
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...
How do you sleep with a torn MCL?
To find a comfortable sleep position, use 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.
Should I wear a knee brace for MCL injury?
Most patients with a grade I MCL tear will be able to return to sports within one or two weeks following their injury. For grade II injuries, you will most likely need to wear a hinged knee brace for a specified period of time.
Is bike riding good for MCL injury?
You may ride the stationary bicycle daily for 10 to 20 minutes. Avoid using stair-stepper machines, doing deep knee bends and squats or any exercise that causes crunching, clicking or pain at the kneecap.
Can you bend your knee with a torn MCL?
Swelling can spread to other areas of the knee joint in the days following the injury. The knee may feel stiff, and a person may have difficulty straightening their leg or bending their knee. They may also find climbing the stairs or sitting in a chair challenging as this requires them to bend their knee.Mar 19, 2019
How can I make my MCL stronger?
0:012:18Strengthening 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.
Will an MCL heal itself?
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. While there are no figures available on how many MCL injuries occur each year, it is considered the most common type of knee injury.Jul 19, 2016
What helps ligaments heal faster?
Balance, control, and strengthening exercises can also help your ligaments heal more quickly than they otherwise would.
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.
How long does it take to recover from a MCL tear?
When this happens, you may face a recovery time of weeks to months, depending on the grade of the MCL tear. 2 . Treatment of an MCL tear depends on the severity of the injury.
How long should I be immobilized after a grade 3 MCL tear?
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.
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.
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 bend your knee with a knee brace?
When a grade II MCL injury occurs, the use of a hinged knee brace can be useful in early treatment. 5 The hinged knee brace will allow you to bend the knee, but provide support to the injured ligament.
How long does it take to recover from MCL surgery?
Most patients can expect the following in terms of an MCL recovery timeline: 1 You’ll go home the same day of the surgery 2 For the first few days, you will not feel up to much. You will take pain medication, ice and elevate your knee, and walk around for a few minutes a day 3 Within a week, you will be up to more – most patients can return to a desk job within a week 4 Around this time, you will start to have physical therapy sessions to help you regain use of the knee 5 Within 6 weeks, you can begin to do more intensive activities 6 It may take 6 months or longer until you regain full use of the knee and are able to do high-impact activities
What is the MCL tear?
MCL tears are tears to the knee’s medial collateral ligament, which is one of four ligaments responsible for holding the knee in place and providing stability. The MCL usually tears after sudden twisting or trauma to the knee, as can happen after a fall or other accident.
Can you recover from knee surgery?
However, how much you will be able to recover depends on the specifics of your injury. Your doctor will provide a prognosis based on your unique situation.
Can you return to normal activities after MCL surgery?
Most patients can return to day-to-day activities relatively quickly, but there may be an adjustment period before you can return to more intensive activities. Below, we will look at some basics about the treatment of MCL tears, as well as what you can expect during the recovery period.
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.
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.
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 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 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.
Can you walk with a crutch?
Depending on the extent of your injury, you may need to begin walking with a crutch under each arm. Progress to using one crutch only as your condition improves. Once your leg is strong enough, attempt short distance walks and lengthen the distance as appropriate.
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.
How to reduce swelling in a swollen ear?
Electrotherapy. A professional therapist may use electrotherapy treatments such as Ultrasound to help control swelling and pain. Ultrasound transmits high frequency sound waves into the tissues applying a mico massage effect and helping to reduce swelling.
Where is the MCL located?
The MCL itself has two parts to it; a deep section which attaches to the cartilage and capsule in the knee, and a superficial band that starts higher up on the femur to an area lower down on the inner surface of the tibia and is much more near the surface .
Can a knee sprain cause a tear?
Twisting the knee can also cause a medial ligament sprain as well as the possibility of an ACL tear. If the foot is planted and the player tries to turn quickly this can also lead to stressing the joint causing the inside of the joint to open and tear the ligament.
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 are some exercises to help with MCL sprain?
MCL sprain proprioception exercises. Proprioception or movement control exercises involve balance and coordination which is often damaged with knee injury. Standing on one leg with your eyes closed is one way of measuring this.
How to work the gluteal muscles?
The athlete lies on their back, knees bent and pushes the hips upwards to work the gluteal muscles and hamstrings. Use both feet on the floor pushing up to begin with. Hold the position briefly and then lower.
How to do ROM?
To perform this gentle knee range of motion or ROM exercise the athlete lies on their back on a hard surface. The heel is slowly moved up towards the buttocks, as far as is comfortable. Socks can be worn to ensure that the foot slides. After a minute or so, a further movement may be possible. A towel or strap wrapped around ...
Who is Mike Walden?
Mike Walden. Mike is creator & CEO of Sportsinjuryclinic.net. A qualified Sports Injury Therapist with a degree in Physical Education, Sports Science and Physics, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education.
What is plyometric exercise?
Plyometrics or plyometric exercises are a form of strengthening exercise, incorporating jumping, bounding and hopping movements, which works to increase power in the muscles. Power is used in the vast majority of all sports and so plyometrics can be used to help develop this for most athletes.
How to straighten knees?
Contract the quadriceps muscles at the front of the thigh. Hold for 10 seconds. Relax and rest for 3 seconds. Repeat 10 to 20 times. You can also perform this exercise with a rolled up towel or foam roller under the knee as shown. Contraction will cause the foot to lift off the floor as the knee straightens.
What is a foam roller?
A foam roller is an excellent piece of kit which can be used in place of massage to treat calf injuries. They are also excellent when use regularly as part of your warm up to help prevent future injury and improve performance.
How to get a leg injury out of a staircase?
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.
How to stretch a knee?
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. Hold for 15 to 30 seconds.
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 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 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.
Exact Answer: After 2 To 3 weeks
When a tear occurs in the medial collateral ligament of the knee, which causes a hell out of pain, it is known as an MCL tear. This ligament connects the bones which are present in the thigh and knee. Whereas the LCL also known as Lateral Collateral Ligament, mainly runs along the outer part of the knee.
Why Can I Run So Long After MCL Tear?
As said before some MCL tears are a little complicated and sometimes the ligaments are torn in a way that, they cannot heal themselves. In these cases, the only way to fix the wound is by surgery. These cases take a lot more time than the normal ones, to get fixed and return to a normal stage.
Conclusion
The MCL surgery is a painful one and may provide different types of complications. But it gets also get cured easily if treated properly. The ligaments can heal faster if they are treated in a proper way to promote a good amount of blood flow within them. Regular use of ice and proper movement can also help in reducing the healing period.