How do you know if you tore your MCL or LCL?

Pain at the sides of your knee. If there is an MCL injury, the pain is on the inside of the knee; an LCL injury may cause pain on the outside of the knee. Swelling over the site of the injury.

How do you diagnose an MCL or LCL injury?

Next, your doctor will perform a physical exam of the knee to check the stability of the ligaments. He or she may also order imaging tests — such as x-rays and MRI scans — to get a precise picture of the extent of damage to your MCL or LCL.

Is an LCL or MCL tear worse?

knee ligament ACL Injuries and Reconstruction Combined Knee Ligament Injuries PCL Injuries and Reconstruction sprains or tears are a common sports injury, and the MCL is injured more often than the LCL. In fact, the MCL is the most commonly injured ligament in the knee.

How do you tell if you have a torn LCL?

What does a partially torn LCL feel like?

Symptoms of LCL Injury

If you hurt your LCL, it's common to have pain and swelling. These symptoms are also common: Your knee may feel stiff, sore, or tender along the outer edge. Your knee may feel like it could give out when you're walking or standing.

Have I Torn My LCL? - Lateral Collateral Ligament

How can I tell if I tore my MCL?

How do I know if I sprained my MCL?

What does a pulled LCL feel like?

The symptoms of an LCL injury are similar to other ligament injuries. You may experience pain and tenderness along the outside of the knee, along with swelling. Some people also describe a feeling of instability in their knee when walking, as if the knee may give out, lock or catch.

Can a partially torn LCL heal itself?

Lateral collateral ligament tears do not heal as well as medial collateral ligament tears do. Grade 3 lateral collateral ligament tears may require surgery. In some cases, all that is required is rest, wearing a brace, taking pain relievers such as ibuprofen and having physical therapy.

What does a 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 bend knee with MCL tear?

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.

How do I know if I have a torn ligament in my knee?

Pain, often sudden and severe. A loud pop or snap during the injury. Swelling within the first 24 hours after the injury. A feeling of looseness in the joint.

Will a knee brace help a torn MCL?

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.

How do I know if I tore something in my knee?

Can you bend your knee with a torn ligament?

Unable to Bend Knee.

When you've torn your ACL you will lose a range of motion. Try bending your knee and then straightening it out. If you can't bend your knee to a 90 degree angle or straighten out your leg because of pain, stiffness and swelling, then it is likely that you've torn your ACL.

What happens if an LCL tear goes untreated?

If an LCL tear is left untreated, the knee may become unstable and prone to further injury over time. That's why it's so important to visit the doctor as soon as possible, rather than later, before the injury can take a toll on the surrounding tissue systems.

Does LCL pop when torn?

Some people may hear a “popping” sound at the time of injury. An LCL tear may occur alongside other injuries, such as an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tear. These injuries may cause additional symptoms.

Do LCL tears require surgery?

When the LCL is completely torn or not healing with nonsurgical therapy, you may need surgery to reconstruct the ligament. While some LCL injuries can be treated with anti-inflammatory medications as well as conservative treatments such as rest, ice, compression, and elevation, most people will need surgery.

Where does a MCL tear hurt?

Most people who tear their MCL feel pain and a "pop" in their knee when the injury happens. Their knee usually swells soon after the injury, most of the time around the inside part of the knee.

How long does a sprained LCL take to heal?

Recovery. Expected recovery usually occurs in 3 weeks to 3 months, depending on the severity of the injury, although lingering minor stiffness and soreness for six months is not uncommon.

How do you fix a sprained LCL?

Is walking good for MCL sprain?

Many physical therapists and doctors recommend walking as an exercise to help relieve pain and stiffness after an MCL sprain, mainly if it is a grade II sprain. 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.

How do you injure LCL?

A lateral collateral ligament (LCL) injury is usually caused by your knee being pushed outwards (away from your other knee). This may happen if you have a blow to the inside of your leg, which can happen during contact sports such as football.