Medial Ligament Sprain

Part of the inner surfaces of the shin bone (tibia) and thigh bone (femur) are connected by the medial collateral ligament. This ligament acts to absorb and combat pressure to the knee’s outer surface so that the inner part of the joint does not widen or form a detrimental gap. The medial ligament’s other main section joins to the meniscus cartilage.

Symptoms by Grade of Injury

Ligament injuries are graded from 1 to 3 depending on their severity, with grade 1 indicating that less than 10% of fibres are damaged and grade 3 being a total rupture. Grade 2 injuries therefore range greatly in severity. The typical symptoms of each grading are as follows:

GRADE 1

Tenderness may be present at a point on the inside of the knee, but this will not be major for a grade 1 sprain. There should generally be no swelling, and pain will arise only while bending the knee and applying force on its outer surface to test the medial ligament.

GRADE 2

Grade 2 symptoms are the most variable, but in many cases the grade 1 symptoms will arise more intensely. For instance the pain during knee bending and pressurising will be worse, and you should feel a noticeable loosening in the knee that indicates joint instability. The tenderness is often considerable, and swelling can appear at the site of the sprain.

GRADE 3

A complete rupture or grade 3 sprain is associated with a more extreme feeling of looseness in the knee joint. While trying to bend or put pressure on the knee, this excessive looseness can make the joint feel actively unstable and unsafe. Everyday movements can draw attention to the wobbly knee. Yet the pain can be deceptive as it might not be as strong as the pain of some grade 2 injuries.

Causes

A medial ligament sprain is regularly caused by a forceful blow to the outside of a bent knee, as can occur in innumerable sporting events including contact sports, track events and gymnastics. Falling accidents can also lead to such damage. The knee is not usually fully bent at the time of injury. In some cases the deeper section of the medial ligament also incurs damage, which can result in further injury to the medial meniscus (or cartilage).

Treatment

Your doctor will take the necessary tests to assess the grade of injury and thus form a basis for treatment. Grade 1 injuries often only require conservative treatment and a commitment to resting from all possibly damaging activities. Icing the area can help to reduce pain and any swelling. The doctor might recommend a knee support for more serious sprains, and a heat retainer can aid the healing process by assisting the blood supply to the injury site. Occasionally they fit the patient with a cast for grade 3 ruptures. Some sprains necessitate aspiration of the knee joint, in which fluid is taken out with a needle. Very severe cases can require surgery in order to correct instability.

Rehabilitation

A physical therapy and rehab program should last approximately 2 months, though sprains that needed surgery take considerably longer to heal before this process can begin.