Sports injuries are common, and one of the most prevalent ones is MCL sprains. The medial collateral ligament (MCL) is a band of tissue that runs along the inner side of your knee and helps stabilize it. When you sprain your MCL, it can cause pain, swelling, and instability in the knee joint. In this blog post, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about MCL sprains, including symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, and how physiotherapists and chiropractors can help.
What Are the Symptoms of an MCL Sprain?
The most common symptom of an MCL sprain is pain on the inner side of your knee. You may also experience swelling or stiffness in your knee joint. In some cases, you may feel a popping or tearing sensation at the time of injury. If you have an MCL sprain, you may find it difficult to put weight on your affected leg or walk without limping.
How Is an MCL Sprain Diagnosed?
If you suspect that you have an MCL sprain, it’s essential to seek medical attention from a physiotherapist or chiropractor. They will perform a physical examination to assess your range of motion and stability in your knee joint. They may also order imaging tests such as X-rays or MRI scans to rule out other injuries such as fractures.
What Are the Treatment Options for an MCL Sprain?
The treatment for an MCL sprain depends on the severity of the injury. For mild to moderate injuries, rest, ice therapy, compression bandages and elevation (RICE), as well as exercises recommended by a physiotherapist can be effective for healing. A Chiropractor might use gentle spinal manipulations for optimal blood circulation and faster healing. In more severe cases, your practitioner may recommend a brace or a cast to immobilize the knee joint while it heals. Surgery is rarely necessary for MCL sprains, but if there are other damaged ligaments or bones, surgery might be needed.
How Can Physiotherapists and Chiropractors Help with MCL Sprains?
Physiotherapists and chiropractors can help you recover from an MCL sprain by developing a personalized treatment plan that focuses on reducing pain and inflammation while restoring range of motion in your knee joint. They will also create an exercise program to strengthen your muscles around the knee joint to prevent future injuries. A physiotherapist may use massage, heat therapy, and ultrasound therapy to facilitate healing of the affected area while a chiropractor recommends spinal adjustments for optimal blood flow to the injured area.
MCL sprains can be painful and debilitating, but with proper treatment and care from a qualified healthcare professional such as a physiotherapist or chiropractor, you can recover quickly and return to your normal activities. Remember not to ignore any pain in your knee joint; seek medical attention as soon as possible for early diagnosis and better outcomes.
If you have any questions or would like to explore further, please book a free, no-charge online appointment with either myself, Nitin Nair, BPT, R/TRO DIP, PT, or another Kitchener physiotherapy practitioner at CARESPACE. We are happy to listen and are here to help!
