• Home
• The injuries we treat
• How we treat sports injuries
• The specialists
• Testimonials
• Events

• Get an appointment

• The Knee
• Information about the knee
• Cartilage Tear
• MCL (Medial Collateral Ligament) Tear
• Cruciate Ligament Rupture
• The Ankle
• The Shoulder

THE INJURIES WE TREAT

MCL (medial collateral ligament) tear

The medial collateral ligament (MCL) is one of four ligaments that is critical to the stability of the knee joint.

The MCL stabilises the inner side of the knee by connecting the upper leg bone (femur) to the tibia (shin bone). The LCL (lateral collateral ligament) stabilises the outer side by connecting the femur to the lower part of the leg. Together, the collateral ligaments control the side-to-side motion of the knee. If either ligament is stretched too far, it may tear.

Injury often occurs to the medial collateral ligament, the LCL is rarely injured. Injury to the MCL usually involves significant force, such as a blow to the side of the knee during contact sports or a bad fall.

Chronic instability may need surgical reconstruction, which involves tightening up the loose ligament or replacing it with a graft. After appropriate rehabilitation, many people resume their previous levels of activity.