Collateral Ligaments and other non-cruciate tendons & ligaments around the knee :
MCL Grade 3 tear: recovery question - - Posted by Unhappy_Tri (Unhappy_Tri), 12 July 2004
Hello:
This may belong on the rehab board, but I thought I"d try here first, because I'm not really "struggling" with rehab...yet! 
I tore my MCL two weeks ago. I really lucked out...the doc at first thought it was the unhappy triad, but the MRI showed only a Grade 3 MCL rupture. My immobilizer was replaced with a Bledsoe brace, but I am still under doc's orders to use crutches until the end of July (I don't understand why, exactly, because I can actually hobble along without pain, but I won't argue). I also started PT last week, where I was cleared for stationary biking and ROM exercises.
My question about PT is whether the principle of "more is better" actually holds true with ligament injuries. I have been biking a LOT and doing ROM exercises every chance I get. No new pain...just a twinge or shudder now and again that I'd expect from a recovering knee.
I asked my PT about this, but the thing is, she's a student and not very confident or experienced, so I don't really trust her opinion (she said, "yeah, sure...that's fine..."). I don't want to be rude and ask her supervisor the same question, and I know everyone has to learn, but I don't like trusting my knee to someone who doesn't have a lot of experience.
I see the supervisor later this week, so I"ll ask her then, but if anyone has any advice for how hard to push PT, I'd really appreciate it.
Thanks!
Posted by grudier (grudier), 12 July 2004
I'd be careful if I were you, too much of a good thing can be bad. If your MCL is torn and you overwork the knee the other ligaments have to compensate. I wouldn't hesitate to ask for the supervisor either, it's a learning experience for everyone involved, and remember it's your leg. Good luck
Posted by jagreggsr (jagreggsr), 29 July 2004
Hi...
I'd be careful with pushing too much... the purpose of your therapy is to heal the leg back to normal... your workouts should be routine to get you back to "normal" abilities... if you're pushing too hard, you may actually hurt it more than helping it... work yourself back to normal and then begin to push... if you find that you can't push after norm, you've got problems that need fixing... I feel for you!!
As for not wanting to hurt your PT, ask anyway... I'd rather a PT tell me I don't know the answer to that than tell me sure... that's fine... that kind of answer doesn't help her learn anything and can only hinder you in the longrun...
Good luck,
Jim
Updated Sat Nov 21 2009
