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McKesson Clinical Reference Systems: Sports Medicine Advisor 2002.1
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Medial Collateral Ligament Sprain

Rehabilitation Exercises

What is a medial collateral ligament sprain?

A sprain is a joint injury that causes a stretch or tear in a ligament, a strong band of tissue connecting one bone to the other. The medial collateral ligament is located on the inner side of the knee. It attaches the thighbone (femur) to the shinbone (tibia).

Sprains vary from minor tears in a few fibers of ligament to complete tears of entire ligaments. Complete tears make the joint very loose and unstable.

How does it occur?

This injury usually occurs when a blow to the outer side of the knee causes stretching or tearing of the medial collateral ligament. It can also be caused by twisting the knee.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms may include the following:

  • You have pain on the inner side of your knee.
  • Your knee is swollen and tender.
  • You have the feeling of your knee giving way.
  • You hear or feel a pop or snap at the time of injury.

How is it diagnosed?

Your health care provider will ask how you injured yourself and will examine your knee. He or she will gently move your knee around to see if the joint is stable and if the ligament is stretched or torn. Your provider may order x-rays or a magnetic resonance image (MRI) of your knee.

How is it treated?

Treatment may include:

  • applying ice to your knee for 20 to 30 minutes every 3 to 4 hours for 2 to 3 days or until the pain and swelling go away
  • Elevating your leg with your knee straight. It is best to get your ankle above your heart.
  • taking an anti-inflammatory medication or other drugs prescribed by your health care provider
  • wrapping an elastic bandage around your knee to keep the swelling from getting worse
  • wearing a knee immobilizer or knee brace to keep you from moving and further injuring your knee and to minimize the pain of moving your knee
  • using crutches until you can walk without pain
  • doing rehabilitation exercises.

Torn medial collateral ligaments rarely need surgery.

While you are recovering from your injury, you will need to change your sport or activity to one that does not make your condition worse. For example, you may need to swim instead of run.

When can I return to my sport or activity?

The goal of rehabilitation is to return you to your sport or activity as soon as is safely possible. If you return too soon you may worsen your injury, which could lead to permanent damage. Everyone recovers from injury at a different rate. Return to your sport or activity will be determined by how soon your knee recovers, not by how many days or weeks it has been since your injury occurred. In general, the longer you have symptoms before you start treatment, the longer it will take to get better.

You may safely return to your sport or activity when, starting from the top of the list and progressing to the end, each of the following is true:

  • When your health care provider has cleared you to advance your activities.
  • Your injured knee can be fully straightened and bent without pain.
  • Your knee and leg have regained normal strength compared to the uninjured knee and leg.
  • Your knee is not swollen.
  • You are able to jog straight ahead without limping.
  • You are able to sprint straight ahead without limping.
  • You are able to do 45-degree cuts.
  • You are able to do 90-degree cuts.
  • You are able to do 20-yard figure-of-eight runs.
  • You are able to do 10-yard figure-of-eight runs.
  • You are able to jump on both legs without pain and jump on the injured leg without pain.

If you feel that your knee is giving way or if you develop pain or have swelling in your knee, you should see your health care provider.

How can I prevent a medial collateral ligament sprain?

Unfortunately, most injuries to the medial collateral ligament occur during accidents that are not preventable. However, you may be able to avoid these injuries by having strong thigh and hamstring muscles, as well as by gently stretching your legs before and after exercising. In activities such as skiing, be sure your ski bindings are set correctly by a trained professional so that your skis will release when you fall.

Reviewed by UMHS MedSport physical therapy staff, November 2002
Written by Pierre Rouzier, M.D., for McKesson Clinical Reference Systems.
Published by McKesson Clinical Reference Systems.

This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

 
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