Help for Your Injury to the Medial Collateral Ligament in Media

Athletes and anyone who participates in sports on a regular basis may be at risk for medial collateral ligament injuries.

The experts at Rothman Orthopaedic Institute are well-equipped to assess your symptoms, present a comprehensive diagnosis, and provide the best care for your knee joints and their affected tissues. If you or someone you love is suffering from an injury to the medial collateral ligament in Media, Rothman Orthopaedic Institute can provide the treatment and relief you need.

The medial collateral ligament (MCL) is one of four ligaments that stabilize the knee. It runs along the inside of your knee, connecting your thighbone (femur) to your lower leg bone (fibula) and controlling the sideways motion of your knee. Injury to the MCL could be a strain, sprain, tear, or rupture. An athlete who participates in contact sports such as football or soccer is more likely to injure the collateral ligaments.

Injuries to the collateral ligaments are usually caused by a strong force that pushes the knee sideways. These are often contact injuries, but not always.

Symptoms that a patient with an injured medial collateral ligament in Media may experience are:

• Pain on the inside of the knee

• Swelling spread throughout the entire knee joint

• Instability or a sense that the knee may give out

• Difficulty bearing weight or inability to stand upright on the affected leg

Most ligament injuries can be diagnosed with a thorough physical examination of the knee. Your physician may also order x-rays and/or MRI scans to confirm your diagnosis.

Patients who have injured their medial collateral ligament in Media don’t always require surgery. You can expect your physician to recommend one or a combination of the following to reduce and relieve symptoms:

• Ice – The proper way to ice an injury is to use crushed ice directly to the injured area for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, with at least one hour between icing sessions.

• Bracing – A knee brace can help prevent re-injury and protect the injured ligament from stress. To protect your knee further, you can use crutches to avoid putting weight on your leg.

• Physical therapy – Your doctor may suggest specific exercises to restore function and strengthen the leg muscles that support your knee.

The good news is that the majority of MCL injuries heal successfully without surgery and patients typically make a full recovery. However, there are some MCL injuries that do require surgical intervention; therefore it is imperative that anyone with a MCL injury see their local Rothman doctor promptly.

Once your range of motion returns, your physician may allow a gradual, progressive return to sports activities. She or he may also suggest wearing a knee brace during sports activities, depending on the severity of your injury.

Rothman Orthopaedic Institute knee specialists can help you decide which options are right for your injured medial collateral ligament in Media. For more information, please visit us here or contact us at1-800-321-9999.