ACL and MCL tear
Injury and treatment
The ligaments of the knee
There are four separate ligaments that stabilize the knee joint. On the sides of the joint are the medial collateral ligament (MCL) and the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) which serve as stabilizers for the side stability of the joint. The MCL is a broader ligament that is actually made up of two ligament structures, the deep and superficial components, whereas the LCL is a distinct cord like structure.
Symptoms
- Pain, which can range from mild to severe, depending on how serious the injury is.
- Stiffness.
- Swelling.
- Tenderness along the inside of the knee.
- A feeling that the injured knee may give way under stress or may lock or catch.
Treatment
Treatment for a tear really depends on which ligament is torn and how bad it is, a lot of tears are not bad enough to require surgery, just rest and let it heal. If its bad enough it will require surgery to repair the ligament. The MCL is most likely to not require surgery because it heals much easier than the other ligaments.