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Medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury of the knee - Overview

Alternative Names

Knee injury - medial collateral ligament (MCL); MCL injury

Definition of 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.

Medial collateral ligament pain

Medial collateral ligament injury

Medial collateral ligament

Torn medial collateral ligament

Reviewed last on: 6/13/2010
Linda J. Vorvick, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

De Carlo M, Armstrong B. Rehabilitation of the knee following sports injury. Clin Sports Med. 2010; 29:81-106.

Singhal M, Patel J, Johnson D. Medical ligament injuries: 1. Medical collateral ligament injuries in adults. In: DeLee JC, Drez D Jr., Miller MD, eds. DeLee and Dree's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2009:chap 23;sect C.

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