The medial collateral ligament (MCL) is a band of tissue that runs along the inner part of your knee and connects the thighbone to the shinbone. It helps to stabilize your knee joint and prevent excessive sideways movement. However, when the MCL is stretched or torn due to an external force, it can cause pain, swelling, and instability in the knee. In this blog post, we will discuss what triggers MCL sprain and how physiotherapists and chiropractors can help manage this condition.
Direct Impact:
One of the most common causes of MCL sprain is a direct blow to the outer side of the knee, which causes a sudden inward bending of the knee joint beyond its normal range of motion. This can occur during contact sports like football or basketball, where collisions are frequent. The severity of an MCL sprain depends on how much force is applied to the knee.
Twisting Motion:
Another common trigger for MCL sprain is a sudden twisting motion while bearing weight on your leg. This may happen when you change direction quickly or pivot on one foot. Individuals who participate in activities that require sudden changes in direction such as skiing or ice skating are at risk for experiencing MCL sprains.
Overuse:
Overuse injuries occur when you repeatedly stress a particular body part over time without allowing sufficient recovery between sessions or activities. In some cases, overuse can cause micro-tears in the MCL that eventually lead to significant damage if not addressed promptly.
Weak Muscles:
Weak muscles around your knee joint make it more prone to injury because they fail to support your movements properly during physical activity.
Physiotherapists can help strengthen these muscles through targeted exercises designed to improve flexibility and strength around your knees.
Poor Technique:
Poor technique while performing physical activities can increase the risk of MCL sprain. For example, not bending your knees sufficiently while jumping or landing improperly during a sport such as basketball can place undue stress on your MCL.
MCL sprains are common injuries that can significantly affect your daily life if left untreated. Understanding what triggers this condition is crucial in preventing it from happening in the first place. Physiotherapists and chiropractors can help you manage this condition through various techniques such as exercises to strengthen weak muscles, improving flexibility and range of motion around the knee joint, and correct any poor technique during physical activity. If you think you may have an MCL injury, seek professional advice immediately to avoid further damage and ensure a speedy recovery.
If you have any questions or would like to explore further, please book a free, no-charge online appointment with either myself, Jonathan Tran, BSc, MSc, MPT, PT Resident, or another Kitchener physiotherapy practitioner at CARESPACE. We are happy to listen and are here to help!
