Treatment Options and Recovery for MCL Sprains and Tears
An MCL sprain is an injury to the ligament and can vary depending on the severity of the injury. Usually, an injury to the MCL may also affect other ligaments in the knee and lead to instability.
An MCL sprain occurs when there is a direct force applied to the outside of the knee, pushing the knee inward. MCL sprains may also occur when a person sustains an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tear. There are 3 grades of sprains.
Grade 2: A grade 2 MCL tear is a moderate tear in which your MCL is partially torn — usually the superficial part of your MCL. Your knee will likely be loose when it's moved by hand, and you'll probably have intense pain and tenderness along the inner side of your knee.
Description. There are two collateral ligaments of the knee: the medial collateral ligament (MCL) and the lateral collateral ligament (LCL). Injuries of the MCL are much more common, owing to its exposure to damage from a blow to the outside of the knee, creating a so-called valgus force.
The medial collateral ligament (MCL) is a wide, thick band of tissue that runs down the inner part of the knee from the thighbone (femur) to a point on the shinbone (tibia) about 4 to 6 inches from the knee.
A sprain stretches the ligament, which can become loose after a severe injury. A tear is a more severe injury that splits the ligament in two. When someone tears the MCL, it may not hold the knee in place as securely. MCL injuries often happen during contact sports.
A grade 2 MCL injury means that your ligament has been partially torn. This usually causes some instability in your knee joint. A grade 3 MCL injury is the most severe type of ligament injury. It occurs when your ligament has been completely torn. Joint instability is common in a grade 3 MCL sprain.
Grade I - A Grade 1 MCL injury indicates a mild sprain or stretching of the ligament fibers. A Grade 1 MCL sprain may cause mild to moderate pain and slight swelling, but the knee joint remains stable. Grade II - Grade II MCL injuries indicate a more severe sprain or stretching of the ligament.
The MCL originates on the medial aspect of the distal femur and inserts on the medial aspect of the proximal tibia several centimeters below the joint line. Its deep fibers are intimately interlaced with the joint capsule at the level of the joint, and the medial meniscus is attached directly to it.
It is the most common ligament injured in the knee, particularly in athletes, and has been reported to be torn in 7.9% of all knee injuries. The MCL has a complex, layered anatomy with multiple insertions and functions.
A medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury is a sprain or tear to the medial collateral ligament. The MCL is a band of tissue on the inside of your knee.
NCLAcronymDefinitionNCLNational Consumers League (Washington, DC)NCLNetwork Control LayerNCLNational Centre for Labour (India)NCLNational Charity League32 more rows
LCLAcronymDefinitionLCLLess than Container LoadLCLLe Crédit Lyonnais (France)LCLLateral Collateral LigamentLCLLight Center Length37 more rows