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Should you exercise with an MCL injury?
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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.
Taking oral medications that relieve pain and inflammation, such as aspirin and ibuprofen.
Wearing a brace that allows the knee to bend while restricting side-to-side movement.
How long does it take to heal MCL?
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.
Avoid using stair-stepper machines, doing deep knee bends and squats or any exercise that causes crunching, clicking or pain at the kneecap.
Should you exercise with an MCL injury? – Related Questions
Is cycling good for MCL recovery?
The main rehabilitation exercise for MCL tears is the frequent use of a stationary bike. For isolated acute MCL injuries, most athletes can return to sports by multiplying the grade of the injury by two (in weeks) as a general time frame.
What muscles strengthen the MCL?
Can you hurt your MCL squatting?
Squatting or lifting heavy objects, such as weight lifting. Landing awkwardly on the knee, such as when jumping in volleyball. Hyperextending the knee, such as when skiing. Through repeated stress to the knee, which causes the ligament to lose its elasticity (like a worn-out rubber band)
How do I get my MCL to stop hurting?
How is calf pain treated?
Rest the area.
Ice the area for 20 minutes, using a covered icepack or bag of frozen peas.
Compress the area with a bandage (but if the pain gets worse, loosen the bandage).
Elevate the lower leg by sitting or lying down (for example with pillows), so it is above the level of the heart.
What should you avoid with a MCL tear?
Rest your knee and avoid walking or any activity that causes pain. They may recommend using crutches and a knee brace to reduce further strain on your MCL when walking.
What aggravates a torn MCL?
Rest & Immobilization: Once a MCL injury is diagnosed it is important that the affected area be rested immediately. Any further movement or stress will only aggravate the condition and prolong recovery. It is also important to keep the injured area as still as possible. Ice: By far the most important part.
These types of tears also usually don’t heal on their own. This is because the torn and retracted MCL becomes trapped above the hamstrings tendons, and it cannot heal back down to the tibia (shin bone).
Is a torn MCL permanent?
Fortunately, the effects of an MCL tear, MCL sprain, or any kind of MCL injury do not have to be permanent. With effective MCL tear treatment on the Lower East Side, a quick recovery and restoration of your normal, healthy lifestyle will be on your horizon.
Can you straighten your knee with a torn MCL?
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. A torn MCL can affect the stability of the knee.
Can MCL repair itself?
Grade I and Grade II tears can heal on their own within a few days to a few weeks as long as you get plenty of rest. Since Grade III MCL injuries are complete tears, the ligament is unable to heal itself and surgery is needed.
How do you tell if MCL is torn or sprained?
An individual with an MCL tear may notice the following:
A popping sound when the injury is sustained.
Pain (ranging from mild to severe depending on injury grade) on the inside of the knee.
Instability, or feeling like the knee cannot bear weight and may give out.
Knee stiffness.
What does an MCL strain feel like?
Knee swelling. Locking or catching of the knee when you move it. Pain and tenderness along the inside of the joint. A knee that gives way or feels like it is going to give when it is active or stressed in a certain way.
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