MCL tear of the knee: Injury, diagnosis, treatment

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One of the most common knee injuries in contact and collision sports is a medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury. This is a ligament on the medial (side closest to the midline) side of your knee that provides stability against side-to-side stress to the knee. You might injure it by cutting maneuvers in sports like soccer or hockey. You can also suffer an MCL injury if another player hits you on the outside of your knee.

Unlike tears of the ACL, MCL injuries most often heal without surgery. You might need to wear a hinged knee brace for 2-6 weeks. The length of time you miss from sports or exercise varies depending on the location and severity of the injury.

In this video, I share my thoughts on the nature of an MCL injury, the diagnosis, the treatment options and return to sports.

Please remember, while I appreciate your questions, I cannot and will not offer specific medical advice by email, online, on my show, or in the comments at the end of these posts. My responses are meant to provide general medical information and education. Please consult your physician or health care provider for your specific medical concerns.

[DrDavidGeier]

If you have questions about the injuries or treatments mentioned in this video, or about a sports or exercise injury, subscribe to my channel and click the bell to be notified of my Better Than Ever LIVE! streams, including an Ask Dr. Geier live show I do most Fridays at 12:00 PM ET.

[geraldpaul]

I can't be the only one on here with a bum knee scrolling through the comments lol

[TheTechPapi]

I train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Judo. Last week, during my spring break vacay, I trained consistently twice per day. On Wednesday after a heated training, I ended with a really sored knee pain. After getting into my car and arriving home, to my demise, I wasn't able to get out of the car. My left knee pain was unbearable. I was on bed for the next two days -- following the PRICE methodology. Anyways, fast forward a week later, I am now able to walk and do some exercises. Due to my 6-day recovery, I think my issue dealt with an MCL and not a Meniscus tear which was my first guess. Anyways... this video was helpful and thank you Dr. Geir for your content. I will make sure to continue visiting for further knowledge. I've had tons of bodily injuries due to training... So everytime I get injured I am learning about the wonderful world of the human anatomy and that mysterious self-healing and holistic sacred system that we all have: our body. Oss

[marlenasobstyl]

Had MRI - 3 grade MCL, healing around 2-3 months, was doing a lot of exercises, it was very long process. It was 6 months in total and I could start hiking properly, but like 2, 5 hours up. It was amazing to be back. Then started to have problems with my work boots, got insoles, tried harder on my knee to compensate for the pain in my foot and boom, re-injured it, after 1 year of not total recovery. At this stage, it's the third week and I still cant walk. Be very careful and do not overdo things, everyone needs their recovery time. For some people it would be 1 month, others can take 3 months. Wish you all good luck and fast recovery folks.

[mightyjoe]

mine is 2 years now and it hurts really bad, sometimes i think if it can't ever be treated and i don't believe i can play soccer with this wicked, evil knee injury again but if i get treated and i have my knee back the way it was .... I will be the happiest man in the world. God Help me

[Sky-dfhk]

I had a grade 2 MCL tear back in 2015. When I sat on the ground with my legs flat my knee would sit about 20cm off the ground. I had to get physio for 2 months which included dry needling and a lot of stretching. It took about 2 years for it to stop hurting when I exercised. I'm now feeling good at the gym - can run and lift heavy on leg days.

[ohiotalk]

I hurt my knee pivoting in marching band my sophomore year of high school. I just went on crutches and called it a day for awhile. I’m a freshman in college and still have some pretty bad knee issues. I have not been examined due to the fear of surgery. Knowing that surgery probably won’t be needed is comforting for me. Once COVID-19 calms down I will get my knee diagnosed.

[hugohernandez]

I suffered a grade 2 (confirmed with an MRI) tear while playing hockey. A guy tripped while in stride and my right knee bent awkwardly. I was out for 6 weeks. Just started playing again and working out. It still feels weird but I am able to play. I also did 5
Weeks of physio which included icing, stretching, and massages. Currently I'm trying to strengthen my quads and working on my balance by using the balance board and doing all sorts of exercises.

[UpperSca]

I was playing soccer and I went to pívot when I heard a tiny crack, I immediately checked out of the game due to some swelling and instability. My tear was a grade 1 and has healed and sealed after 8 days.

Please keep in mind that the healing time is about 1-2 weeks but you have lost some strength and stability of the knee. I would recommend rehabilitation to strengthen if you are an athlete. Most athletes want to come back immediately after the healing of the knee.

[Nenad-ICXC-Shuput-GFAMMA]

Thank you for this video. Just what I needed to hear to make a decision if I need to go in and see a doc. Thanks Jesus I don't for now..

[Soccerlover]

i injured my right knee in 2013. I had my right foot over the football and just when I tried to roll the ball backwards i.e. towards myself to protect it from opponent, I felt a cracking sound and unbearable pain. I noticed that it was MCL injury along with minor sprains to other ligament. Due to lack of sports medical facilities in India it took me 8 months to walk properly again. Without any medical support it healed naturally but playing football is not same as it used to be.

[melanievoltz]

Thank you for this! Incredibly helpful as I’m pretty sure I injured my MCL today during jiu jitsu

[AlexPerez-hdhg]

Hi. I got a grade II MCL injury play senior softball. Orthopedic Dr says 12 weeks to heal and get back to running and playing ball. Hardest part is just being patient. Great video

[Utopiahimalayan]

I just had a mcl injury 2 weeks ago and being diagnosed by a doctor I wanna know when I will be able to go back to fields and play and suggest me some tips to prevent it in my future thank u for the great video Dr.

[txdrummerboy]

Several years ago I suffered a Grade II tear of my left MCL while playing ice hockey. I was out for almost two months. Two days ago I injured the same MCL playing ice hockey. It felt worse at the time and I felt a pop when it happened. That said, it feels much better than last time so, I’m hoping to get back on the ice sooner this time.

[Tamsin_bear]

I think it’s my MCL that I’ve injured, because when I walk my knee buckles inwards. I am just worried because it’s the same knee I had ACL surgery on 3 years ago, and the way I injured it was running. I thought my knee was really strong but I’ve managed to injure it so easily that I’m concerned about the state of my knee

[elib]

Grade 3 and surgery in the morning. Friday I had MRI and seen Dr in the afternoon and scheduled surgery asap. Been 12 days since injury so im hoping it attaches back ok.

[jenniferhansen]

A complete MCL tear from the femer, two dogs hit the inside of my knee at full throttle. Medical terms ( A full throttle dogging ). In full brace and still unstable after a month and a half. Getting better slowly.

[seashorelineone]

Thank you for the info. I work at Boeing and hurt my knee from what I suppose was kneeling and stretching it while shooting rivets. Boeing's industrial athlete diagnostics indicated that the knee pain was an MCL injury. It's been about 6-8 weeks and it's getting better but I still need to be careful. I wear a rubber knee brace on my knee and no longer wake up a night with pain from twisting my knee in my sleep. Still a little tender but no more pain. Wonder what exercise I could do to help? Thanks.

[Daesma]

I have no idea how I hurt my knee but it looks like MCL struggles the most. The doctor said it looks like some meniscus injury (based on the tests he did with me) but at the same time it probably isn't meniscus. We tried a knee rotation (like when you are going almost to the squat with the rotation and then back) and then he said it's probably MCL. He even found something in there before he tried this. I'm on the rehab now not sure if it helps.. I'll see what's gonna happen with me 😅😅
I need a new leg..