Nonsurgical Methods. Recovery time for an MCL injury depends on the severity of the damage. On average, these injuries take six weeks to heal. No matter the grade of the tear, initial treatment focuses on immobilizing the knee and reducing pain and inflammation.

How long will an MCL sprain take to heal?

Nonsurgical Methods. Recovery time for an MCL injury depends on the severity of the damage. On average, these injuries take six weeks to heal. No matter the grade of the tear, initial treatment focuses on immobilizing the knee and reducing pain and inflammation.

How serious is sprained MCL?

When your MCL is damaged, your knee can over-extend itself, or bend too far in a direction that it’s not supposed to bend. You may heal on your own with basic care, rest, and rehab. But if your injury is severe, you may need to have surgery.

Can you fully recover from an MCL tear?

The time it takes to fully recover from an MCL tear depends on how severe the tear is. A grade 1 (mild) MCL tear usually heals within one to three weeks. A grade 2 (moderate) MCL tear generally takes four to six weeks to heal with treatment. A grade 3 (severe) MCL tear can take six weeks or more to heal with treatment.

How do you strengthen an MCL injury?

You will need a pillow for this exercise.

  1. Sit on the floor with your knees bent.
  2. Place a pillow between your knees.
  3. Put your hands slightly behind your hips for support.
  4. Squeeze the pillow by tightening the muscles on the inside of your thighs.
  5. Hold for 6 seconds, then rest for up to 10 seconds.
  6. Repeat 8 to 12 times.

Can a sprained MCL get worse?

While some symptoms occur immediately after injuring the MCL, such as swelling and tenderness, others may appear or get worse in the days following the injury, such as bruising.

Will walking on a torn MCL make it worse?

If the MCL or ACL tears, the result is usually pain, swelling, stiffness, and instability. In most cases, the injured person can still walk with the torn knee ligament. But the movement will be severely limited, not to mention painful. Surgery may be the best route to a pain-free life, with amazing success rates.

What is the fastest way to recover from an MCL injury?

Treatment for MCL tears include: Exercises to strengthen muscles. Use of a protective knee brace during exercise….Treatment for MCL Injury

  1. Rest.
  2. Application of an ice pack application to reduce swelling that occurs hours after the injury.
  3. Compression using an elastic bandage or brace.
  4. Elevating the knee.
  5. Pain relievers.

Can MCL heal itself?

Can an MCL tear heal on its own? A grade 1 MCL tear (minor tear) can usually heal on its own with rest within one to three weeks. Grade 2 and grade 3 MCL tears, which are more severe, need proper treatment in order to heal, which can include resting, wearing a knee brace and doing physical therapy.

How do you know if your MCL is damaged?

If your MCL (medial collateral ligament) is torn, you may experience the following signs and symptoms:

  1. Hearing a popping sound at the time of the injury.
  2. Experiencing pain in your knee.
  3. Having tenderness along the inner side of your knee.
  4. Having stiffness and swelling in your knee.

Should I wear a knee brace for MCL injury?

Most patients with a grade I MCL tear will be able to return to sports within one or two weeks following their injury. For grade II injuries, you will most likely need to wear a hinged knee brace for a specified period of time.

How long does it take for a MCL sprain to heal?

The surgery is called a knee ligament repair and it involves stitching the torn ligament. The recovery time of an MCL sprain depends on the severity of the injury. For a grade III injury, it may take 3 – 4 months to heal. Wear appropriate shoes.

What is an MCL sprain?

An MCL sprain is an injury to the ligament and can vary depending on the severity of the injury. Usually, an injury to the MCL may also affect other ligaments in the knee and lead to instability. What Can Cause MCL Sprain? 1. Trauma One of the major causes of MCL sprain is usually due to trauma to the outer side of the knee joint.

What are the symptoms of a torn MCL in the knee?

If your MCL (medial collateral ligament) is torn, you may experience the following signs and symptoms: Hearing a popping sound at the time of the injury. Experiencing pain in your knee. Having tenderness along the inner side of your knee. Having stiffness and swelling in your knee.

What does a Grade 2 MCL sprain feel like?

Grade 2 MCL sprains are considered moderate with significant pain and tenderness on the inside of the knee with some swelling. Grade 3 injuries are severe, often involving a complete tear of the ligament. Pain may range from moderate to severe. However, you will have significant swelling and your knee will feel unstable.