Treatment
Non surgical interventionsis
- considered in Grade I and II MCL injuries as well as isolated grade III injuries
- initially treated with rest, ice, compression and elevation to reduce initial pain and swelling
- patients are advised the bear weight as tolerated wearing a hinged brace to protect the knee from valgus movements. Early active range of motion is initiated to prevent stiffness (1)
Surgical interventions
- remains a controversial topic in MCL management
- generally considered in patients with grade III injury who fail to recover with non operative treatment resulting in chronic valgus instability (2)
- surgical options include:
- primary repair of the ligament
- usually carried out within seven to ten days after the injury (3)
- autograft/allograft reconstruction
- options for reconstruction of the ligament includes - hamstrings and Achilles
Reference:
- (1) Medial collateral ligament injuries of the knee: current treatment concepts, A, 2008. MCL Injuries of the Knee: Current Concepts Review. Current Review Musculoskelet Medicine, 1(2), 108-113
- (2) Duffy PS, Miyamoto RG. Management of medial collateral ligament injuries in the knee: an update and review. Phys Sportsmed. 2010;38(2):48-54
- (3) Phisitkul P et al. MCL injuries of the knee: current concepts review. Iowa Orthop J. 2006;26:77-90
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