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Medial collateral ligament (MCL) - medial knee pain
Signs or Symptoms
Instability of the inside of the knee with ache, pain, tenderness and swelling depending on the degree of injury.
Description
The MCL stabilizes the knee joint and prevents the knee from buckling inwards. The ligament runs across the inside (medial aspect) of the knee in a vertical direction when standing
Causes
Usually it is injured from stress to the outer side of the knee as being hit. It can also occur from repeated stress as in a chronic over pronating ankle or pelvic instability.
Standard Treatment
Rest, anti-inflammatory medications and bracing are the most used. Surgery is done when complete tearing of the ligament occurs.
AK Approach
The medial collateral ligament can be injured by either immediate direct trauma or by repeated micro trauma. If the injury occurred from a single trauma, the examination is directed immediately to the severity of the injury and is surgery indicated. Otherwise, the examination is more general as to the total functioning of the lower extremity.
As the knee can be adversely effected by problems in the ankle and foot or the pelvis above it. The examination begins by looking for factors in these areas that would adversely affect knee stability. Locally, the stability of the major ligaments of the knee are then tested for.
The muscles that support the knee are evaluated to find the ones that are malfunctioning. These are corrected and then tested for the need of corrective exercises. The attention is then shifted to the localized structures that are injured and failing to support the knee joint properly. These can include specialized treatments for ligaments, muscles, skin and joints.
Finally, attention is directed to corrective procedures that can help coordinate the muscles to help prevent future injuries. Nutritional therapies aimed at increasing factors that would speed healing and reduce any inflammation are considered.
Other lifestyle modifications are used to prevent or minimize exacerbating the condition. A specific program for your needs is created.