How do I know if I tore my MCL?

What does an MCL tear feel like?

MCL injuries hurt. Most people feel pain along the inside edge of the knee, and they also have swelling. You might hear a pop when the damage to the knee takes place, and your knee may lurch to the side. You may find it hard to walk, or feel like you can't put pressure on the leg with the hurt knee.

Can you walk normally with a torn MCL?

Teens with a torn MCL usually need to take time off from sports, especially the sport in which the injury happened. If there is no pain and the knee does not "give way," they can usually walk, stretch, and do low-impact activities such as swimming.

Can a MCL tear heal on its own?

While an MCL tear can be extremely painful, the good news is that the tear usually heals on its own after a few weeks of rest. While there are no figures available on how many MCL injuries occur each year, it is considered the most common type of knee injury.

Can you bend your knee with a torn MCL?

Swelling can spread to other areas of the knee joint in the days following the injury. The knee may feel stiff, and a person may have difficulty straightening their leg or bending their knee. They may also find climbing the stairs or sitting in a chair challenging as this requires them to bend their knee.

Symptoms of a MCL Injury

How can you tell the difference between a torn MCL and meniscus?

Palpation of the joint line can also help determine the difference between an MCL tear and a meniscus tear. The MCL will usually hurt directly over the ligament itself, whereas pain in the front or behind the MCL it often can be a meniscus tear. In addition, if one gaps open, one commonly has an MCL tear.

How do I know if my knee injury is serious?

Is walking good for torn ligaments?

The short answer is yes. After the pain and swelling subsides and if there is no other injury to your knee, you may be able to walk in straight lines, go up and down stairs and even potentially jog in a straight line.

Will walking on a torn MCL make it worse?

The MCL helps support the knee, and it is important to walk as soon as possible after the injury. Walking is beneficial in the healing process of MCL sprains. But should not be done before the knee is completely pain-free, or it can make things worse for the injury.

How do you treat a sprained MCL at home?

Does MCL tear hurt to touch?

A torn MCL (medial collateral ligament or tibial collateral ligament) may be painful to the touch.

Is MCL tear worse than ACL?

While not always the case, an ACL tear is in most cases going to be the more severe injury. It is considered worse than tearing the MCL because ACL tears are in general more complex to treat and require a longer recovery time after surgery.

How do I know if I tore a ligament in my knee?

Can you bend your knee with a meniscus tear?

You can fully bend and straighten your knee without pain. You feel no pain in your knee when you walk, jog, sprint, or jump. Your knee is no longer swollen. Your injured knee is as strong as your uninjured knee.

What is the difference between a MCL sprain and tear?

A grade one sprain involves stretching and minor tearing of the MCL fibers; a grade two sprain involves partial (50%) tearing; and, a grade three sprain is a complete tear or rupture of the MCL. After sustaining any type of MCL injury, there may be difficulty bending and straightening the knee.

How do you check yourself for a torn meniscus?

To test for a lateral meniscus tear (on the outer side of the knee), you'll be asked to turn your toes inward as far as your knees can rotate. You'll then squat and slowly stand up. A click or pain can indicate a meniscus tear.

How long should knee pain last before seeing a doctor?

Generally, athletes should see a healthcare provider for pain lasting more than 48 hours and other adults should see an expert if there seems to be no change for three weeks. Generally, most healthcare providers recommend that you schedule an appointment as soon as you notice that your symptoms impact the way you live.

Should I go to A and E with knee pain?

If your knee pain is that bad, you might have a broken bone. In this case, go to the ER. However, if your knee only hurts when you walk on it, and you don't think it's broken, avoid the expense of the ER by having a family member or friend help you to urgent care instead.

Is my pain MCL or meniscus?

meniscal injury: how can you tell? Generally, an MCL injury occurs at the top attachment to the femur. So, pain and swelling are above the joint line. On the other hand, a medial meniscal tear causes pain in the medial joint line below the top attachment of the MCL.

Should you brace an MCL sprain?

Most MCL injuries can be treated at home with rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory medicine. Your doctor may suggest that you use crutches and wear a brace that protects but allows for some movement of your knee. You may need to reduce your activity for a few weeks.

Where is meniscus pain felt?

Initial symptoms of a torn meniscus include well-localized pain and swelling in the knee. The pain is usually either on the inner or outer side of the knee, not around the kneecap.

How long does a sprained MCL take to heal?

MCL Tear or Sprain Nonsurgical Recovery Time

It can take anywhere from a few days to 8 weeks for an MCL injury to heal and a person to return to normal activities and sports. Generally, the timeline is determined by the severity of the injury, although this is not true for every person.