Common Teenage Sports Injuries: Patients Who Suffer From an Injured Medial Collateral Ligament in Newtown Square

Knee injuries occur often among active teens, and a torn medial collateral ligament (MCL) is a common example.

The experts at Rothman Orthopaedic Institute specialize in providing the best care for your teen’s knee joints and their affected tissues. If you or someone you love is suffering from a torn medial collateral ligament in Newtown Square, Rothman Orthopaedic Institute can provide the treatment and relief you need.

The MCL is one of four primary ligaments in the knee joint. It is located on the inside of the knee, with one end attached to the femur and the other attached to the tibia. Together with the lateral collateral ligament (LCL), which is in the same location on the outside of the knee, the MCL prevents the sideways overextension of the knee.

Students who play football and soccer are most at risk to suffer a torn medial collateral ligament in Newtown Square. The injury often happens when the outside of the knee is struck with a forceful blow, causing it to bend inward (toward the other knee). This creates excessive tension on the MCL, causing it to stretch or break.

Doctors rate MCL injuries according to the following criteria:

• Grade 1 – a mild tear or stretch of the MCL. In this case, both ends of the ligament remain attached to the bone, but a section of the ligament may be stretched and less taut. Recovery from a Grade 1 tear averages 1 to 2 weeks.

• Grade 2 – a slightly more severe tear of the MCL, with a definite portion of the ligament showing slack or sagging. Pain and swelling may be more severe than a grade I, and people frequently require 3 to 4 weeks of rest plus therapy to recover.

• Grade 3 – an actual tear in the MCL. An athlete may be unable to bend the knee or bear weight on it without pain or buckling of the joint. Patients with this injury typically must wear a knee brace and undergo therapy for 6 weeks or more.

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.

Any injury to your teenager can be frightening and overwhelming. Rothman Orthopaedic Institute knee specialists and urgent care clinics can help you decide which care options are right for your teen’s torn medial collateral ligament in Newtown Square, so they can get back to the activities they love. For more information, please visit us here or contact us at 1-800-321-9999.