Can you still walk with a torn MCL?
If the MCL or ACL tears, the result is usually pain, swelling, stiffness, and instability. In most cases, the injured person can still walk with the torn knee ligament. But the movement will be severely limited, not to mention painful. Surgery may be the best route to a pain-free life, with amazing success rates.
How do I know if my MCL is torn?
An individual with an MCL tear may notice the following:
- A popping sound when the injury is sustained.
- Pain (ranging from mild to severe depending on injury grade) on the inside of the knee.
- Instability, or feeling like the knee cannot bear weight and may give out.
- Knee stiffness.
What does an MCL injury feel like?
MCL injuries hurt. Most people feel pain along the inside edge of the knee, and they also have swelling. You might hear a pop when the damage to the knee takes place, and your knee may lurch to the side. You may find it hard to walk, or feel like you can’t put pressure on the leg with the hurt knee.
How long does MCL take to heal?
Recovery time for an MCL injury depends on the severity of the damage. On average, these injuries take six weeks to heal. No matter the grade of the tear, initial treatment focuses on immobilizing the knee and reducing pain and inflammation.
Does MCL tear hurt to touch?
Symptoms of a torn MCL include pain on the inside of the knee, tenderness in the inner knee area, inside area of the knee may hurt to touch, swelling over the injured area, ruising around the knee, knee instability, feeling as if the knee may give out, knee stiffness, difficulty bending and straightening the injured …
How do I know if I tore my MCL or meniscus?
If you’ve torn your meniscus, you might have the following signs and symptoms in your knee:
- A popping sensation.
- Swelling or stiffness.
- Pain, especially when twisting or rotating your knee.
- Difficulty straightening your knee fully.
- Feeling as though your knee is locked in place when you try to move it.
Should I wear a knee brace for MCL injury?
Most patients with a grade I MCL tear will be able to return to sports within one or two weeks following their injury. For grade II injuries, you will most likely need to wear a hinged knee brace for a specified period of time.
What can you not do with an MCL injury?
MCL Injury A torn knee ligament can destabilize the knee and prevent you from doing things that involve twisting or turning your knee. Twisting or turning motions on a torn MCL can cause the knee to buckle or “give way.”
How do you make your MCL heal faster?
Resting the knee after an MCL tear can help speed up healing. People should avoid contact sports and movement that puts too much strain on the MCL until the injury heals fully. This can help to prevent further damage. In some cases, surgery may be necessary.
Do I need an MRI for MCL tear?
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the investigation of choice to confirm injury to knee ligaments, including the MCL [1]. Although an MRI is not 100% sensitive for detecting MCL injuries [2], surgeons can rely on its findings for a diagnosis in grade 3 MCL tears.
How do you sleep with a torn MCL?
To help find a comfortable sleep position, try using a pillow to support the painful parts. You can put the pillow: between your knees, if you sleep on your side. under your knees, if you sleep on your back.
What is a MCL sprain and how long does it take to heal?
It’s hard to say exactly how long MCL sprains need to heal, but a few factors affect the recovery timeline. A mild Grade I sprain might take anywhere from two to six weeks to recover, while a Grade III sprain or complete rupture of the MCL could take months of dedicated rehab.
What is the recovery time for a knee sprain?
Sprained knee recovery time. A knee sprain is considered healed when there’s no more pain or swelling, and you can move your knee freely. Many grade 1 and 2 knee sprains heal within two to four weeks. People who need surgery, however, may take as long as four to six months to recover.
What is MCL tear?
MCL Tear. An MCL tear is a common knee injury and develops when the medial collateral ligament of the knee gets overstretched and damaged. The MCL is one of four ligaments that helps to stabilise the knee and is found on the inner side of the joint.