Medial Collateral Ligament Injuries
What is the medial collateral ligament?
During the course of our lifetime, we put our knees under tremendous stress. In our day to day activities, we climb stairs, squat to retrieve things, kneel and walk. Our knee is the largest joint in our body and knee discomfort and injuries are one of the most frequent reasons individuals seek out an orthopedist. Four major ligaments provide stability to our knee; the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), the medial collateral ligament (MCL) and the lateral collateral ligament (LCL). The cruciate ligaments are located within the knee joint and connect the femur (thighbone) to the tibia (shinbone). The medial collateral ligament (MCL) connects the femur (thighbone) to the tibia (shinbone) and provides stability to the inner (medial) side of the knee.
MCL injuries are commonly seen with:
- “Clipping” mechanism in a football game
- Blunt trauma from a collision in soccer or rugby
- Complex injury to the knee
- Blows to the outside of the knee
Symptoms:
- Pain directly over the MCL on the inside of the knee
- Swelling
- Possible bruising
- Possible buckling or sensation that the knee may “give out”
Diagnosis:
Your physician will take a detailed history and discuss what you were doing at the time you experienced symptoms. S/he will then do a thorough clinical examination. If indicated, your physician may obtain x-rays to exam the bones of the knee joint and/or an MRI to further assess the status of the knee ligaments and tendons. If an MRI is appropriate, it can be obtained at the Imaging Center.
Treatment:
MCL injuries are graded from Grade I, Grade II and Grade III. Treatment will vary with the degree of severity.
