Treatment for MCL (Medial Collateral Ligament) Strain-Sprain-Tear

Similar to ACL tears, a tear of the Medial Collateral Ligament, or MCL, is often severely painful. The function of the MCL is to regulate the side-to-side movement of the knee, assuring that it maintains a safe and appropriate range of motion.

The most common symptom of an MCL tear is knee instability. MCL tears usually occur following impact to the outside of the knee. The subsequent pain and discomfort is generally experienced on the inside of the knee, directly above the ligament. Similar to ACL tears, MCL tears are graded in degrees - first, second, and third - depending on the severity of the ligament tear. A first degree MCL sprain might only require a brace and other non-surgical treatments, while a total rupture of the MCL generally requires arthroscopic surgery in order to remove the affected tissue and repair the ligament. If you require arthroscopy for an MCL injury, it will likely be performed as an outpatient procedure, by Dr. Reisch.