Saturday, February, 11, 2012

Medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury of the knee

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

Knee injury - medial collateral ligament (MCL); MCL injury


First Aid

The health care provider will examine your knee. An MCL test will be done to detect looseness of the ligament. This test involves bending the knee to 25 degrees and putting pressure on the outside surface of the knee.

Other tests may include:

  • Knee joint x-rays
  • Knee MRI

Treatment includes:

  • Applying ice to the area
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)
  • Raising the knee above heart level

You should limit physical activity until the pain and swelling go away.

The health care provider may put you on crutches and in a brace to protect the ligament. You may also be told not to put any weight on your knee when you walk.

After a period of keeping the knee still, you will be taught exercises to strengthen and stretch the knee. Physical therapy may help you regain knee and leg strength.

Surgery is often not needed when only the MCL has been torn.

If you need surgery, it will be done using arthroscopy, through a small surgical cut.


Do Not


Call immediately for emergency medical assistance if

Call your health care provider if:

  • You have symptoms of MCL injury
  • You are being treated for MCL injury and you notice increased instability in your knee, pain or swelling after they initially faded, or your injury does not get better with time
  • You re-injure your knee

Review Date: 06/13/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)