MCL Tear

MCL Tear services offered in Henderson, NV & Las Vegas, NV

Anyone can end up with a medial collateral ligament (MCL) tear, but this knee injury most often occurs in athletes who play contact sports like soccer and football. The experienced physicians at Nevada Orthopedic & Spine Center have helped many people recover from an MCL injury with customized treatment and sport-specific rehabilitation. To get exceptional care for an MCL tear, call the office in Henderson or Las Vegas, Nevada, or schedule an appointment online today.

MCL Tear Q & A

What causes an MCL tear?

The MCL is a thick band of tissue that runs down the inner side of your knee joint, connecting the thigh bone to the shinbone. The primary job of the MCL is to control sideways movement and prevent the knee from moving too far inward.

An MCL tear, also called an MCL sprain, most often occurs when you suffer a blow to the outside of your knee. As the force pushes the knee inward, it pulls the MCL and causes a partial or complete tear.

Twisting your knee while running or jumping may tear the MCL. You can also end up with the same injury when repeated movements stress the ligament.

What symptoms develop after an MCL tear?

If you tear the MCL, you will experience symptoms such as:

Pain
Stiffness
Swelling
Knee instability
Tenderness along the inside of the knee

Your knee may feel like it will give way or lock up.

How is an MCL tear treated?

Your provider may diagnose the tear after examining your knee. However, they could need an MRI to determine if the tear is partial or complete and identify any other injuries that occurred at the same time.

The initial treatment for an MCL tear includes rest, ice, and taking anti-inflammatory medications. Your provider may fit your knee for a brace to stabilize and protect the ligament while it heals.

Though you need to temporarily limit your activities, gentle movement promotes healing. Your provider starts physical therapy and rehabilitation as soon as possible after your injury.

Nevada Orthopedic & Spine Center seldom recommends surgery for an MCL tear. However, you may need surgery if the ligament fails to heal or other structures inside the knee are also damaged.

When will I return to sports?

After you regain range of motion and can walk again, your provider designs a program that lets you gradually return to sports. During this functional progression, you start with moderate movements and slowly build to more intense activities.

For example, people who play soccer may start with light jogging, then move up to sprinting, running, and kicking. Depending on the severity of your MCL tear, you may need to keep wearing a brace while you play sports.

If you need expert treatment for an MCL tear, call Nevada Orthopedic & Spine Center or request an appointment online today.