There are four main stabilising ligaments in the knee that connect the thighbone (femur) to the shin bone (tibia). They are:
The medial collateral ligament is located on the side of your knee joint. It goes from the inside of the upper shin bone (tibia) to the inside of the bottom of the thigh bone (femur) and keeps your shin bone stable.
The medial collateral ligament is usually injured by pressure or stress to the outside part of the knee. This force causes the outside of the knee to buckle, and the inside to widen.
When the medial collateral ligament is stretched too far, it is susceptible to tearing and injury. This injury can be caused by the action of ‘clipping’ in a football game.
Injury to this ligament can be a stretch, partial tear, or complete tear. There are three grades of medial collateral ligament injury:
Symptoms include:
Diagnosis for MCL tears is made based on various investigations. Your doctor will first evaluate your medical history and symptoms before conducting a physical examination.
In order to assess your knee function, your doctor ask you to move your knee in different directions. Imaging tests such as X-ray, MRI, and CT scan may also be done.
Treatment for MCL injuries include non-surgical and surgical options, depending on the extent of injury:
A dedicated and expert team of Orthopaedic specialists at Pantai Hospital is available for consultation to provide the best care and assistance.
Get in touch with us to book an appointment today if you have concerns or questions regarding medial collateral ligament injuries or other knee injuries. We assure you the best possible care tailored to your specific needs.
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