Saturday, 29 March 2025

MCL Strains: When the Knee Bends Sideways







What is Your MCL?

The medial collateral ligament or MCL is a tough band of tissue on the inner side of your knee. It plays a crucial role in stability, keeping your knee from collapsing inwards. But like all good things, it has its limits. A sudden twist, an awkward landing or a direct hit from the side can overstretch or tear the ligament, leading to an MCL strain.

MCL Strain Symptoms:

Symptoms can range from mild tenderness to sharp pain along the inside of the knee. Swelling often follows, and depending on the severity, you might find bending or straightening your knee a challenge. Some people hear a pop at the time of injury, though that is usually in more severe cases.

MCL Healing Time:

The good news is that most MCL strains settle well with physiotherapy. Mild strains typically take around two to three weeks, while moderate cases might need four to six weeks without aggravation. Severe tears can take up to three months to settle and recovery may be as long as a year, but surgery is rarely needed. Healing times for ligament injuries can be extensive as the tissue restructures slowly, although your pain and swelling may settle much faster.

MCL Strain Management:

Treatment focuses on protecting the ligament, reducing swelling and restoring movement. Ice, compression and elevation help in the early days. Physiotherapy then guides you through strength and balance exercises to prevent future injuries. Strapping or bracing may be useful in moderate to severe cases to support the healing ligament.

MCL Rehabilitation:

The key to a full recovery is patience and a proper rehab program. So, if your knee is bothering you, see your physio and get back on track the right way. After all, nobody wants to be sidelined longer than necessary.

More Information: 




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