Injury Centre | Knee | MCL Knee Ligament

 

MCL Knee Ligament Injury

The Medial Collateral Ligament is the knee ligament located on the inner side of the knee joint. It links the thigh bone and the shin bone. A knee ligament injury is referred to as a sprain, and this knee injury can occur if the knee is twisted or subject to force from an opponent during sport.

The Medial Collateral Ligament is the large ligament on the inside of the knee that links the thigh bone and the shin bone. Damage to a ligament is referred to as a sprain, and depending on the severity of the injury it is classified as first, second or third degree:

• A first degree sprain is damage to only a few ligament fibres.
• A second degree sprain is damage to a more extensive number of ligament fibres, but the ligament remains intact.
• A third degree sprain is a complete rupture of the ligament. Because of the force involved in this injury other structures in the knee, such as the Meniscus or the Anterior Cruciate Ligament can also be damaged.

The injury is usually caused in one of two classic ways. In collision sports such as football and rugby, the Medial ligament can be damaged when an opponent applies a force (usually from their knee) to the outside aspect of the leg, just above the knee. Alternatively the Medial ligament can be damaged if the studs get caught in turf and the player tries to turn to the side, away from the planted leg.

MCL Knee Ligament Injury Signs & Symptoms

With a first degree sprain of the Medial ligament there will be pain when the site of the damage is touched. Stressing the ligament (when the knee is slightly bent and the shin is moved inwards in relation to the thigh) is painful - this action is reproduced when standing up from sitting in a chair.

In the case of a second degree sprain, the pain is more severe when touched and when the ligament is stressed. There will usually be a swelling of the knee joint, but this may take 24 hours to appear.

In the case of a third degree sprain, where the ligament is ruptured, the knee joint is unstable and activity cannot be continued. There will be a bleed and an inflow of fluid into the joint but, because the capsule that surrounds the joint is also damaged, this fluid may leak out and swelling may not be evident

You can't do a lot if a prop forward (in rugby) or a centre half (in football) decides to throw their weight against your knee. Passing the ball earlier is probably the best advice that can be given. In the case of someone who has had a previous Medial Ligament injury there may be a slight weakness, but there are measures that can be taken to help prevent a recurrence. A knee brace can provide increased knee stability and reassurance following previous knee injuries, especially during activities such as skiing.

Following a rehabilitation programme under the supervision of a chartered physiotherapist will help. This should include a lot of proprioception exercises (these improve the stimuli within the body relating to position and movement), since proprioceptive ability will be affected by the damage to the ligament.