Medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury of the knee
Medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury is an injury to the ligament on the inner part of the knee. This ligament keeps your shin bone (tibia) in place.
It can be a stretch, partial tear, or complete tear of the ligament.
Considerations
The medial collateral ligament (MCL) goes from the inside surface of the upper shin bone to the inner surface of the bottom thigh bone. The ligament helps keep the inside portion of the knee joint stable.
Causes
The MCL is usually injured by pressure or stress on the outside part of the knee. A block to the outside part of the knee during football is a common way for this ligament to be injured.
It is often injured at the same time as an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury occurs.
Symptoms
Symptoms of a tear in the medial collateral ligament are:
- Knee swelling
- Locking or catching of the knee with movement
- Pain and tenderness along the inside of the joint
- The knee gives way or feels like it is going to give way when it is active or stressed in a certain way
