when to start rehab after mcl injury

Grade 1 Rehab: MCL rehab can begin immediately following the injury and should be focused on proper mobility and recovering full range of motion in about a 2-4 weeks window. Grade 2 Rehab: MCL rehab should begin after any initial swelling and intense pain has subsided after the injury.

Full Answer

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

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 stretching it.

What is the initial phase of rehab for an MCL injury?

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 medial collateral ligament injury?

Grade 1 Rehab: MCL rehab can begin immediately following the injury and should be focused on proper mobility and recovering full range of motion in about a 2-4 weeks window. Grade 2 Rehab: MCL rehab should begin after any initial swelling and intense pain has subsided after the injury. The program should center around improving the quality of body mechanics and range of …

How do you treat a torn MCL in the knee?

Sep 17, 2021 · MCL injuries do tend to be painful so the pain from the injury might linger on for a month or two. The recovery from a grade 2 MCL injury will take a while longer. A grade 2 injury might take between 2-3 months until you are comfortable, the knee is stable and your motion and strength have returned to normal.

When should I start physical therapy after MCL injury?

three weeks after injury (grade 1) 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.

How long should you rest a sprained MCL?

These typically require two to four weeks for recovery. During this period, you'll have to rest the knee as much as possible and perform physical rehabilitation exercises as instructed to improve the outcome of your recovery.

Is walking good for MCL injury?

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

How do you rehab a MCL injury?

Quad setsSit with your affected leg straight and supported on the floor or a firm bed. Place a small, rolled-up towel under your knee. ... Tighten the thigh muscles of your affected leg by pressing the back of your knee down into the towel.Hold for about 6 seconds, then rest for up to 10 seconds.Repeat 8 to 12 times.

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.

What helps ligaments heal faster?

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

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.

Does massage help MCL injury?

It is important to remember that an acute injury (less than 24 hours), injury with swelling, and a medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury with an untreated fracture are never massaged. It is best to get rest and keep the affected area immobilized.Apr 3, 2021

How long does a grade 1 MCL tear take to heal?

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.Oct 18, 2021

How do you know if you have an MCL injury?

In the midst of some form of activity, you likely twisted or turned your knee at a bad angle, and heard a loud pop. Even if there was no pop, you’r...

Can you still walk with a torn MCL?

If you have a grade 3 sprain you probably can’t walk. A grade 3 MCL sprain will leave you feeling completely unstable and very anxious when on your...

How long does it take an MCL injury to heal?

It is tough to figure out just how long recovery will take by just looking at MCL sprain symptoms. Your best bet is to measure how quickly you’re M...

What does a sprained MCL feel like?

You’re likely reading this because you are on the receiving end of a pretty crummy feeling. In the midst of some form of activity, you likely twist...

Should I wear a knee brace for MCL injury?

If you have a grade 1 — or lower grade 2 MCL sprain — over-bracing the knee could cause some of the muscles responsible for knee stability to atrop...

Does MCL tear need surgery?

If you’re confident you don’t have a grade 3 sprain, you can avoid the doctor entirely. Your injury may require rehab, but you can find a number of...

What is the best treatment for a MCL sprain?

I wish I could tell you there is a magic bullet that accelerates recovery. Unfortunately, rest is the main element to MCL sprain treatment. ICE and NSAID’s are always recommended, but they are usually most helpful after the initial injury.

How long does it take to recover from a sprain?

MCL sprain symptoms of recovery 1 Improves significantly in 7-10 days = 2-3 week recovery 2 Slight improvements in first 1-2 weeks = 3-4 week recovery 3 Slow improvements in first 3-4 weeks = 6-8 week recovery 4 Hard to see week to week improvements = 8+ week recovery

What is grade 3 MCL?

A grade 3 MCL sprain is a complete tear of the MCL. This means that surgical intervention is the only way to restore a functioning MCL. There is not a recovery time for the injury; as it will not health itself.

Is a grade 2 MCL tear a grade 3 tear?

A grade 2 MCL sprain can be the most difficult to diagnose. Really bad grade 2 MCL sprains often feel like what the injured party would imagine a grade 3 (complete tear) would feel like ; however, a non-complete tear isn’t as significant and can health without surgery; which is an important distinction between the two.

Can you stretch your MCL before it heals?

Your MCL sprain could be made much worse by trying to stretch it or increase its range of motion before it has had a chance to heal. This is a common treatment mistake.

Is grade 1 MCL sprain a grade 1 sprain?

A grade one MCL sprain can be one of the easiest ones to diagnose. If after the initial injury you feel progress day-to-day, you are probably looking at a grade 1 type of sprain. As mentioned above, there aren’t just three degrees of injury to an MCL. There is a spectrum.

What is the middle phase of MCL rehab?

In the middle phase of MCL rehab, you will begin to re-expose the MCL to loads it will need to handle with everyday activities or sports you participate in. This includes progressive stability exercises focusing on joint proprioception, which is your body’s ability to understand where it is in space.

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

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

Why do you wear a knee brace?

This includes reducing swelling, modulating pain, and avoiding activities that will stress the MCL. In some instances, if there is a grade II or III injury, a brace may be worn for a period of time to help control the stability of the knee.

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!

Can a MCL tear heal?

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. That’s because the MCL, unlike other ligaments like the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL), has a great blood supply.

Why are ligaments important?

In this way, ligaments provide support and strength to a joint, preventing injuries such as dislocations or instances of instability. As such, ligaments are present at almost every joint in our body. Some joints, like our hip joint, have what is called a good bony fit.

What is the MCL?

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.

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 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 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 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.

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 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.

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 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:

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.

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.

What is a wobble board?

Wobble boards are most commonly used in the rehabilitation of ankle injuries such as ankle sprains, although they should also be used for other lower leg and knee injuries. They can also be used for upper limb injuries, especially the shoulder. This is important in people involved in throwing or similar activities.

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.