How long does it take for a Grade 1 MCL to heal?
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 exercises are good for MCL injury?
Knee flexion with heel slide
- 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 do you treat a Grade 1 MCL sprain?
Treatment
- Prompt return to weight-bearing.
- Activities to encourage full motion.
- Ice.
- Safe strengthening activities, such as biking, that avoid cutting and twisting.
- Optional anti-inflammatory medication for one week (e.g. Diclofenac/Voltaren or Ibuprofen/Advil)
- Bracing with a hinged brace to support the MCL.
How do you recover from a MCL tear?
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.
How can I make my MCL stronger?
Treatment for MCL tears include: Exercises to strengthen muscles. Use of a protective knee brace during exercise….Treatment for MCL Injury
- Rest.
- 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.
How bad is a Grade 1 knee sprain?
Grade 1 knee sprain: One of the four ligaments has been stretched slightly and is mildly damaged. This injury causes microscopic tears in the ligament, but overall it can still help keep the knee joint stable.
How bad is a Grade 1 MCL sprain?
A grade 1 MCL injury is the least severe. It means that your ligament has been stretched but not torn. A grade 2 MCL injury means that your ligament has been partially torn. This usually causes some instability in your knee joint.
How long does a Grade 1 knee sprain take to heal?
Typically, a grade 1 knee sprain or a grade 2 knee sprain involving the MCL or LCL will heal in 2 to 4 weeks. More severe sprains or injuries involving the other ligaments may take anywhere from 4 months to an entire year.