Treating Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) Problems

Treatment for an MCL injury can be nonsurgical or surgical. Nonsurgical treatment is used much more often. With either one, rehab will be part of your treatment.

Nonsurgical treatment

This treatment starts with rest, ice, and elevation. This eases pain and swelling. In the next stage, you start exercises to improve your knee’s range of motion, strength, and flexibility. You may need a brace for weeks after your injury. Using crutches or a brace rests your joint, helping it to heal.

Surgery

Surgery is seldom used to fix an MCL injury. But sometimes it is advised, especially if some other part of your knee is hurt. Open surgery is used to screw or stitch the MCL back into place. If fixing the original MCL is not possible, an MCL graft may be used. Based on their location, other knee injuries may be fixed using arthroscopy. With arthroscopy, a tiny camera lets your healthcare provider see inside the joint. Tools are put in through small cuts to fix the joint.

Pre-op checklist

• Stop taking aspirin and other medicines 7 days before surgery, or as your healthcare provider directs.

• Arrange to get correctly sized crutches to use as you heal.

• Don’t eat or drink 10 to 12  hours before surgery (or as your healthcare provider directs).

• Arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery.

After surgery

Right after surgery, you’ll spend a few hours in a recovery unit. Your knee will be bandaged. Ice will be applied, and your leg raised. Depending on the surgery performed, physical therapy may start shortly after. A brace and crutches are often used after surgery. You may have limits on weight bearing and activity while you heal.