What are the symptoms of medial collateral ligament?
The symptoms of an MCL injury may include:
- a popping sound upon injury.
- pain and tenderness along the inner part of your knee.
- swelling of the knee joint.
- a feeling that your knee is going to give out when you put weight on it.
- locking or catching in the knee joint.
Why does my medial collateral ligament hurt?
MCL injuries commonly occur in football players who get “clipped” or hit on the outer side of the knee. Other causes may include twisting and turning while skiing, blows received on the soccer field, trauma from a car accident, or turning the knee sharply while the foot is planted on the ground.
How long does medial collateral ligament take to heal?
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.
What is medial collateral?
The medial collateral (tibial collateral) ligament is a broad, flat band of tissue that connects the medial condyle of the femur (thighbone) to the medial condyle of the tibia at the knee joint.
What is the function of the medial collateral ligament?
The medial collateral ligament (MCL), or tibial collateral ligament (TCL), is one of the four major ligaments of the knee. It is on the medial (inner) side of the knee joint in humans and other primates. Its primary function is to resist outward turning forces on the knee.
Why does my MCL hurt?
MCL pain is usually caused by direct trauma to the knee. When your knee receives a blow on its outer side, it gets pushed inwards. This can stretch your MCL, often leading to tears.
Can a MCL heal itself?
Typically, a partial MCL tear takes around four weeks to heal. A complete rupture can take eight weeks or more to recover. The recovery time will also depend on how quickly you get the appropriate treatment for the damage. You may need to immobilize the knee for a time so the tissue can repair itself.