6 FAQs About Medial Collateral Ligament Injury in Montgomery County

Do you believe you may have sustained a medial collateral ligament injury in Montgomery County? If so, you’re probably asking some of the same questions we often get from our patients here at Rothman Orthopaedic Institute.

In this article, you’ll find six of the most frequently asked questions we get about MCL injuries:

How does the medial collateral ligament (MCL) fit into the overall anatomy of the knee? The knee joint is the largest joint in the body. It’s the location where the large leg bones, the femur and the tibia, meet. Wherever bones come together, they require ligaments to connect them. In the knee, there are four important ligaments - two are collateral and two are cruciate. The MCL connects the femur to the tibia on the inside of the knee.

What is the exact role of the MCL? This ligament is responsible for connecting the leg bones, providing stability to the knee joint and controlling mobility, keeping the knee from extending too far. Specifically, it resists widening of the inside of the joint.

What are common symptoms of MCL injuries? If you’ve experienced a medial collateral ligament injury in Montgomery County, you’re probably suffering from some level of knee pain, instability and possibly also swelling. Depending upon the extent of the tear, symptoms can range considerably from patient to patient, but the most common reported sign of an MCL tear is pain on the inside of the knee joint.

What do the tear classifications indicate? A grade one tear leaves the MCL in continuity and results in very minimal symptoms. Pain is manageable and only a short 2-4 period of rest is required before returning to sports or a regular exercise routine. If you’ve experienced a grade two tear, the injury is still incomplete, but they produce more swelling and greater instability. A longer period of rest is often required to recover from a grade two. Lastly, grade three MCL tears are characterized by the complete division of the ligament and are usually accompanied by pain, swelling, instability, and immobility. Patients with grade three tears require a six week (or longer) recovery period in a brace.

Where should a patient with a medial collateral ligament injury in Montgomery County go for treatment? Rothman Orthopaedic Institute is the clear choice for the region’s best orthopedic care. In fact, we have a team of physicians, specifically trained in the knee subspecialty and known throughout the country as pioneers in their field. Call 1-800-321-9999 to set up an appointment today.

What are the treatment options for an MCL tear? Unlike some of the other ligaments in the knee joint, medial collateral ligaments are rarely treated surgically. While some physicians do recommend surgery in some cases, most MCL injuries can be sufficiently addressed conservatively, using rest, ice and anti-inflammatory medication.

To set up an appointment with a member of Rothman Orthopaedic Institute’s knee subspecialty team, please contact us today by calling 1-800-321-999 or requesting an appointment online.