What is Medial Collateral Knee Ligament Sprain

The medial collateral ligament (MCL) is a tough band of tissue in the knee that connects the thigh bone to the shin bone. Your MCL prevents your knee from moving too far inward and helps to keep your knee stable. An MCL sprain is an injury that is caused by stretching the MCL too far. The injury can involve a tear in the MCL.

What are the causes?

This condition may be caused by:

• A hard, direct hit (blow) to the inside of your knee (common).
• Your knee falling inward when you run, change directions quickly (cut), jump, or pivot.
• Repeatedly overstretching the MCL.

What increases the risk?

The following factors make you more likely to develop this condition:

• Playing contact sports, such as wrestling or football.
• Participating in sports that involve cutting, like hockey, skiing, or soccer.
• Having weak hip and core muscles.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms of this condition include:

• A popping sound at the time of injury.
• Pain on the inside of the knee.
• Swelling in the knee.
• Bruising around the knee.
• Tenderness when pressing the inside of the knee.
• Feeling unstable when you stand, like your knee will give way.
• Difficulty walking on uneven surfaces.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition may be diagnosed based on:

• Your medical history.
• A physical exam.
• Tests, such as an X-ray or MRI.

During your physical exam, your health care provider will check for pain, limited motion, and instability.

How is this treated?

Treatment for this condition depends on how severe the injury is. Treatment may include:

• Keeping weight off the knee until swelling and pain improve.
• Raising (elevating) the knee above the level of your heart. This helps to reduce swelling.
• Icing the knee. This helps to reduce swelling.
• Taking an NSAID. This helps to reduce pain and swelling.
• Using a knee brace, elastic sleeve, or crutches while the injury heals.
• Using a knee brace when participating in athletic activities.
• Doing rehab exercises (physical therapy).
• Surgery. This may be needed if:
  • Your MCL tore all the way through.
  • Your knee is unstable.
  • Your knee is not getting better with other treatments.

Follow these instructions at home:

If you have a brace or sleeve:

• Wear it as told by your health care provider. Remove it only as told by your health care provider.
• Loosen the brace or remove the sleeve if your toes tingle, become numb, or turn cold and blue.
• Do not let your brace or sleeve get wet if it is not waterproof.
• Keep the brace or sleeve clean.

Managing pain, stiffness, and swelling

• If directed, apply ice to the inside of your knee.
  • Put ice in a plastic bag.
  • Place a towel between your skin and the bag.
  • Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2–3 times a day.
• Move your foot and toes often to avoid stiffness and to lessen swelling.
• Elevate your knee above the level of your heart while you are sitting or lying down.

Driving

• Ask your health care provider when it is safe to drive if you have a brace or sleeve on your leg.

Activity

• Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.
• Do exercises as told by your health care provider.

Safety

• Do not use the injured limb to support your body weight until your health care provider says that you can. Use crutches as told by your health care provider.

General instructions

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

How is this prevented?

• Warm up and stretch before being active.
• Cool down and stretch after being active.
• Give your body time to rest between periods of activity.
• Make sure to use equipment that fits you.
• Be safe and responsible while being active to avoid falls.
• Do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week, such as brisk walking or water aerobics.
• Maintain physical fitness, including:
  • Strength.
  • Flexibility.
  • Cardiovascular fitness.
  • Endurance.

Contact a health care provider if:

• Your symptoms do not improve.
• Your symptoms get worse.