Collateral Ligaments and other non-cruciate tendons & ligaments around the knee :
MCL injury - - Posted by chris_hoban (chris_hoban), 31 March 2004
I have sustained a grade2 MCL injury..... and i gotta tell you i am super worried about it not healing right. I have already done damage to my other knee, ACL recon+ meniscus rip. I knew those would heal b/c i had surgery, but am worried about my MCL. Please reply if you have the time....ie.. How long did you wear a immobilizer for, rehab time, time to return to sports etc. If you can reply i would appreciate it.
thanks
Posted by ATsoccergirl (ATsoccergirl), 2 April 2004
I have had multiple MCL injuries, 2 grade 2, and 2 grade 3 tears of my right MCL. My first injury was a grade three which did not heal properly due to poor management by my OS. He had me in an immobilizer for 3 weeks followed by 2 months of physical therapy. I had my 2nd tear (grade 2) a couple months later and it was handled quite similarly.
My 3rd tear (grade 3) was handled completely different and I had a great result. My OS (different one) put me in an unloader brace immediately and I then started rehab the next day. I was also put on a program of biking, some days I would be one the bike for an hour. Biking has been shown to greatly enhance healing by properly stressing the joint. I was able to return to soccer in 6 weeks following that injury. Amazingly this protocol also caused my ligament to significantly tighten up from my other previous injuries.
My most recent tear was in september, however with this injury I retore my ACL graft, and partially tore my PCL. The MCL healed fine, it just took longer since we had to protect my joint due to the extreme instability I was experiancing.
With the athletes I work with, I do not advocate the use of immobilizers unless there are other injuries. Straight MCL tears respond best with unloader braces. This brace opens up the medial joint allowing for the tension to apply a low load stretch to the ligament which results in better healing. Rehab shouild begin as soon as possible. As I mentioned biking is extremely important since it also applies controlled stress which can result in a tighter ligament. Our team physician will allow us to typically return grade 2 tears in 4-5 weeks.
Immobilization is the enemy with MCL injuries. This is an outdated approach, which frankly does not produce the same results as the more aggressive protocols.
Posted by ELEP6 (ELEP6), 5 October 2004
I suffered a Grade 3 MCL tear Grade 3 ACL tear and partial Lat Meniscus tear last month. Surgery to repair my ACL and Meniscus isn't until Dec due to a blood cot Howver in the meantime, my OS put me in a REHAB 3 brace, which allows up to 90 degree range of motion. I'm not on any specific REHAB schedule yet, but the OS said to do what I can ie....biking! My concerns are similar to yours. Will my MCL fully heal on it's own?? Right now I'm 1 month from inury and I can only bend my knee approx 55-60 degrees. The OS told me it can take a while for full Range of Motion to return. Believe me it's frustrating, but be patient!!
Updated Mon Dec 1 2008