In this article, you will find out everything you need to know about MCL injury and the most effective ways to treat it, including an advanced treatment called Prolotherapy.
Recovery from MCL Injury: Effective Treatments & Timeframes
Curious about the recovery timeline for an MCL injury and how to get back to your routine? Recovery from MCL injuries varies by severity, but with the right treatments, most individuals can improve significantly. This guide covers what you can expect in terms of timeframes and effective treatments to ensure a smooth recovery from MCL injury.
Key Takeaways
- Recovery from MCL injuries involves understanding the severity of the injury, with treatments ranging from the RICE method and physical therapy for milder cases to surgery for severe tears.
- Physical therapy and knee bracing are crucial non-surgical treatments aimed at restoring the knee’s strength, mobility, and stability, often extending over several weeks to months depending on injury severity.
- Surgical intervention is typically reserved for severe MCL injuries, especially those with multiple ligament tears, and recovery involves a structured rehabilitation program to ensure safe return to activities.
Understanding MCL Injuries
MCL injuries stand as a prevalent form of knee ligament injury, with the Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) being frequently implicated. This essential component of your knee’s structural integrity is tasked with resisting forces that may cause the inner part of the joint to buckle. When subjected to overextension or tearing, an injury to this critical band of tissue—spanning from the thigh bone (femur) down to the shin bone (tibia)—is often referred to as a medial collateral ligament injury. The MCL ensures stability by limiting unwarranted lateral movement and offering steadfast support for your knee.
Understanding MCL injuries thoroughly aids in facilitating effective recovery measures. Such an injury transpires when excessive force leads this specific ligament within your knee mechanism either to stretch beyond its capacity or tear apart entirely. Common incidents leading up to such trauma include abrupt impacts or twisting motions at play. These cases exhibit varied degrees ranging from mild sprains all through fully torn MCLS each demanding tailored treatment strategies towards proper healing progressions.
Delving deeper into both anatomical details and contributory factors behind these conditions sheds light on how complex our knees are while emphasizing crucial care practices necessary after sustaining any kind of damage thereabouts especially concerning those pertaining specifically oft-encountered but potentially serious affliction known medically ‘medially compromised/lacerated collocation’ more commonly simply denominated: “an mcl.”
Anatomy of the Medial Collateral Ligament
Diving into the intricate details of the Medial Collateral Ligament, it acts as a robust and pliable strap located on the knee joint’s inner side. It serves to link the thigh bone’s medial epicondyle to your shin bone’s medial tibial plateau. The MCL is more than just a basic band. Its structure includes both superficial and deep components.
The longer segment you can observe running between your thigh and shin is known as the superficial part of this ligament. Conversely, nestled closer within your knee alongside its joint capsule lies the deep component, which also attaches itself to something called the medial meniscus. Thanks to these elements working together in unity, they endow substantial stability on our knees, essential during sideways motions or when we twist and turn.
Common Causes of MCL Injuries
Delving into the common origins of MCL injuries, it becomes apparent that these types of injuries are typically induced by a combination of forces exerted upon the knee. High-impact sports which require abrupt direction shifts or entail body contact often play a significant role. For instance, imagine a soccer player receiving an impactful blow to the side during a game, or consider how skiers might twist their knees sharply while executing turns – both scenarios significantly strain the MCD and may cause harm.
Nevertheless, one does not have to be an athlete to experience MCL issues. Ordinary activities can prompt such injuries as well. Everyday actions potentially leading to problems with your MCL include slipping awkwardly off a curb, misstepping into an unnoticed hole when walking, or even persistent stress on your knees due mainly from weak muscles in the buttocks area (gluteal) or because of foot overpronation during ambulation or running.
Acknowledgement and comprehension of what leads up to an MCL injury is vital for its prevention and also serves as guidance for recognizing moments where there could be heightened vulnerability towards sustaining damage to this part of your knee.
Symptoms of an MCL Injury
Recognizing the symptoms of an MCL injury promptly is crucial for prompt and effective treatment. Often, pain localized on the inside part of the knee overlying the ligament serves as a key indicator. This discomfort can manifest itself as a dull ache or evolve into sharp severe pain depending on how seriously the ligament has been injured. Notably, gradual onset of pain may signal MCL sprains due to repetitive use in activities such as running or walking rather than a sudden incident.
Should these symptoms arise – specifically:
- Pain situated on the inner side of your knee
- Noticeable swelling and tenderness upon touch
- Challenges in bending or fully extending your knee
- The sensation that your knee might buckle under pressure
- A visible presence of bruising around your kneecap
…it’s imperative to consult medical professionals who can evaluate you thoroughly and devise an appropriate course for treating this condition.
Alongside experiencing acute discomfort, additional manifestations include:
- Swelling enveloping your patella. Which signals that healing agents are being sent by your body towards damaged cells.
- In instances where injury severity escalates, it’s possible to observe discoloration from bruises inside near one’s joint.
A stark indication frequently accompanying an MCL trauma is feeling or hearing an audible “pop” during when harm was inflicted — this often points toward extensive tearing within.
Lastly, compromised integrity in maintaining stability at one’s knees could emerge if any weight-bearing actions cause uncertainty due primarily because functionality meant provided via said medial collateral ligaments (MCL) gets affected detrimentally post-injury occurrence.
Grades of MCL Injuries
Injuries to the MCL vary greatly, with three distinct grades reflecting the extent of damage. These grades play a crucial role in determining how long it might take for one to recover and what type of treatment is necessary.
For Grade 1 injuries, which are considered relatively minor, there’s minimal stretching within the ligament accompanied by microscopic tears. Despite these changes at a minute level, the overall structure remains stable.
Grade 2 injuries indicate more damage. Specifically, there is a partial tear present in the ligament that leads to an increased laxity of the knee joint. The pain and instability someone feels from this injury would be noticeably greater than those associated with Grade 1.
The most drastic form of MCL injury falls under Grade 3: where there’s a full rupture or complete tear within the ligament causing significant weakness across the knee joint. Those who suffer from such an extensive injury typically face both a more complex recovery process and a longer time frame before healing fully occurs.
Diagnosing an MCL Injury
In the event of an MCL tear, a healthcare professional will initially carry out a physical examination to evaluate your knee’s stability and check for swelling or tenderness. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of your injury, diagnostic tests may be required.
To discount any associated bone injuries like fractures that could be responsible for knee discomfort, X-rays are typically utilized. MRI scans or ultrasounds might be prescribed by your physician in order to get an intricate view of soft tissues including the MCL ligament itself. These imaging methods can reveal how extensive the ligament damage is and assist with grading its severity—with MRIs being regarded as particularly definitive for confirming MCL tears and assessing their degree.
Implementing such exhaustive diagnostic measures ensures that you receive a treatment strategy tailored specifically to address your unique MCLA injury scenario.
Initial Treatment for MCL Injuries
When diagnosed with an MCL injury, the immediate goal is to protect your knee and promote recovery. Initiating treatment early sets you on the path to successful healing. Employing the RICE method is a commonly advised strategy for such injuries.
- Rest
- Ice application
- Compression of the affected area
- Elevation of the limb
This established technique plays a crucial role in controlling pain, minimizing swelling, and nurturing conditions favorable for tissue repair.
For additional relief from discomfort associated with an MCL injury, healthcare professionals might suggest several options for managing pain.
- Over-the-counter analgesics like paracetamol or ibuprofen
- Prescription-strength pain medication for more intense discomfort
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) designed to alleviate inflammation as well as diminish swelling
Before implementing any drug-based treatments, it’s essential to seek guidance from your doctor who can propose a plan that addresses both your particular needs and medical background.
Rest and Ice
During the early stages of recovering from an MCL injury, it is vital to rest as this prevents additional harm to your injured knee. It’s not necessary to remain completely still. You should steer clear of any actions that could put an undue strain on the MCL.
Simultaneously, using ice packs on the area affected by injury plays a crucial role. Ice application curtails swelling and alleviates pain by narrowing blood vessels and decelerating nerve signals. For optimal effectiveness, it’s recommended to apply ice for durations of 15-20 minutes every couple of hours within the first two or three days post-injury. To avoid skin damage from direct contact with ice, be sure always to encase the ice pack in a light towel.
Compression and Elevation
In the initial phase of treatment, alongside rest and ice, it is essential to compress and elevate. Wrapping your knee with a snug elastic bandage can prevent swelling by applying pressure. Such compression serves to curtail fluid buildup at the site of injury. Yet caution is advised not to bind too tightly. Doing so could interfere with blood flow.
It’s equally critical to keep your knee raised higher than your heart level while you recline or sit down. Using gravity as an ally, this practice aids in draining surplus fluid from the vicinity of the injured tissue. Effectively controlling swelling early on is pivotal for recovery, as it contributes both to alleviating pain and facilitating the body’s healing mechanisms.
Non-Surgical Treatment Options
The healing process for an MCL tear, particularly of Grade 1 or 2, can typically be achieved through non-operative methods. These strategies aim to alleviate symptoms and foster recovery while incrementally restoring the knee’s functionality. Managing pain and swelling is fundamental in this approach, often utilizing oral medications like aspirin or ibuprofen to mitigate discomfort and diminish inflammation.
To medication use, employing knee braces and engaging in physical therapy are vital components of the non-surgical treatment for an MCL injury. Knee braces offer added support to your damaged MCL which aids in stabilizing your knee during the healing phase and mitigates chances of Harm. Physical therapy consists of custom-tailored exercises aimed at regaining motion range as well as enhancing strength and stability within your injured knee area.
These non-invasive treatments collectively formulate a detailed plan that tackles both immediate symptoms associated with an MCL injury as well as pursuing the ultimate objective—a fully functional return post-recovery.
Knee Bracing
Utilizing a knee brace is an essential element in the conservative treatment of MCL injuries. Securing your knee with a properly fitting brace can aid in maintaining stability as you recover, diminishing the likelihood of additional damage to your healing tissues. The specific kind of brace necessary varies according to how severe the MCL injury is. Those with Grade 1 sprains might not require bracing, while more significant sprains—Grade 2 and 3— warrant the use of a hinged knee brace.
These specialized hinged braces permit measured mobility yet limit lateral movement that could potentially harm the recovering MLC. Certain models offer adjustable settings for bending flexibility, enabling adaptation throughout various recovery stages, which may be especially advantageous for individuals mending from Grade 2 sprains where moderately stable braces with customizable hinges are commonly advised.
It’s crucial to understand that although support through bracing aims at stabilization, it does not aim at complete immobilization since facilitating some range of motion aids in nurturing proper healing and forestalling rigidity within the joint structures during recuperation from an MCL injury or strain.
Physical Therapy
Rehabilitating an MCL injury relies heavily on the implementation of physical therapy, which is vital for restoring your knee’s strength, flexibility, and functionality. Physical therapy regimens designed for MMD injuries typically encompass a variety of exercises aimed at enhancing different elements crucial to the well-being of the knee joint. Initiating with gentle movements that promote increased range of motion, these exercises progressively intensify to bolster strength and stability.
Central to MCL injury rehabilitation through physical therapy is fortifying muscles that furnish support to the knee—especially targeting quadriceps and hamstrings—as they serve as active stabilizers reducing pressure on the recuperating MCl. Your designated physical therapist will incorporate techniques meant not only to heighten muscle power but also advance balance skills and proprioception – this refers to the keen awareness required by your body in determining where your body exists within space. An essential component in sidestepping Harm.
Incorporated into your tailored physiotherapy plan might be:
- Raising legs while lying flat
- Curling hamstring muscles
- Squatting against a wall
- Ascending steps
Prolotherapy
In recent years, Prolotherapy has built its reputation within the medical community for its clinically proven ability to treat MCL injuries.
Published research has proven its pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory and regenerative benefits.
Prolotherapy involves injecting a natural regenerative solution with tiny needles. This has been shown to stimulate the production of collagen cells, the small cells needed to repair the damage and help MCL injuries.
As prolotherapy is helping to treat the root cause of MCL injuries, it is deemed to be a permanent fix, preventing the symptoms from returning.
Surgical Treatment Options
Surgical treatment is not often required for MCL injuries, as many can be addressed with non-operative measures. In severe instances of MCL injury involving a complete tear and considerable instability within the knee joint, surgical repair may become necessary. Such interventions are uncommon when dealing solely with an isolated MCL condition.
It’s more typical to undertake surgery on an injured MCL if it’s part of a complex set of injuries to the knee that include damage to additional elements like the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or meniscus. Addressing all affected components at once tends to yield improved outcomes and contribute towards achieving greater stability in the knee over time.
Indications for Surgery
The choice to undergo surgery for an MCL injury takes into account multiple considerations. Surgery is typically reserved for serious cases of MCL damage or when additional structures within the knee, such as ligaments or menisci, are also injured. A prime example where surgical intervention may be necessary is in instances of combined ligament injuries – notably known as the “terrible triad,” which encompasses damages to not just the MLC but also includes the ACL and medial meniscus.
A person’s level of physical activity and their aspirations can influence whether they proceed with surgery. Professional athletes or others involved in strenuous activities often lean towards surgical repair to achieve maximum knee stability and minimize chances of future injury. The decision-making process regarding surgery is collaborative. It involves detailed discussions between patients and healthcare providers about the particular nature of their MCL injury, considering both lifestyle factors and long-term objectives.
Types of MCL Surgery
Two primary surgical approaches are employed in the treatment of MCL injuries: repair and reconstruction. The process known as MCL repair, or augmentation, focuses on mending the injured ligament through surgery by stitching back together the torn edges of the ligament. Sometimes to strengthen this repair, a graft is taken from one’s own hamstring tendons.
Alternatively, when an injury has rendered the ligament beyond simple reparative measures, MCL reconstruction comes into play. This more complex operation entails substituting the irreparable damaged MCL with a new tissue graft—either an autograft harvested from another part of the patient’s body like their hamstring tendon or an allograft sourced from a cadaveric donor.
Deciding whether to opt for repair or reconstructive surgery is influenced by several variables including:
- how severe is damage sustained
- what condition remains within residual fragments of knee ligaments
- which procedure will most likely result in better long-term stability according to surgeon evaluation
Recovery from MCL Surgery
The road to recovery after an MCL surgery requires dedication, adherence to post-surgery instructions from your surgeon, and a considerable measure of patience. Those who have undergone the operation can anticipate regaining much of their knee’s functionality within two or three months. It is critical to understand that achieving complete recovery—especially for athletes aiming to get back into competitive sports—may extend beyond this timeframe.
For most athletes undergoing this process:
- Engaging in mild training endeavors might start 2 to 3 months post-operation.
- More strenuous exercises and activities specific to their sport may begin between the fourth and sixth month.
- Competing fully in athletic events is typically achievable within six to eight months after an extensive surgical repair due to a severe MCR tear.
Such a careful timeline ensures that healing at the site of surgery occurs thoroughly while strength and range of motion are completely restored. It provides ample time for individuals recovering from such injuries to gain confidence in their knee’s normal function. Throughout this period, you will probably be under the care of a physical therapist assisting you through incremental stages via tailored rehabilitation programs aimed at safely restoring you back to your prior levels of activity before injury occurred.
Rehabilitation and Recovery Time
Rehabilitation is a vital component in recuperating from an MCL injury, whether you undergo surgery or opt for conservative treatment. Initially, the rehabilitation centers on diminishing swelling, controlling pain levels and refraining from actions that could place excessive pressure on the recovering MCL. This involves employing methods like RICE as previously mentioned while also engaging in gentle exercises to maintain range of motion without causing discomfort. It’s essential during this time to strike an equilibrium between resting the injured ligament and allowing some movement to avoid stiffness and encourage circulation.
As recovery progresses, so does rehabilitation—moving into what’s commonly known as its middle phase where reintroduction of load-bearing activities gradually occurs for your knee joint. During this period, more intense exercises designed to enhance proprioception—the recognition by your body of your knee’s spatial orientation—are introduced. These are pivotal not just for regaining stability in your knee, but also crucial for averting potential injuries down the road.
The final stretch of rehab (aptly termed the late phase) challenges you with return-to-sport drills aimed at preparing your knee for higher-level tasks including those involving valgus stress (knee moving inward). At every stage of rehab, it remains imperative to heed bodily feedback and collaborate closely with medical professionals overseeing recovery. Ensuring advancement through each phase is tailored effectively according to individual healing progress.
Mild Sprain Recovery
Individuals who suffer from a mild MCL sprain, also known as a Grade 1 injury, typically benefit from a quicker and less intense recovery compared to more severe MCL injuries. For these milder cases, taking an active role in the healing process is often advocated. This entails steering clear of activities that might overburden your knee’s medial collateral ligament while still staying active within the limits of what doesn’t cause you pain. Promptly putting weight on your knee can be beneficial for minor MCL injuries since it may actually expedite recovery. During this phase of recuperation, permissible activities include:
- Walking
- Swimming
- Cycling
- Low-intensity workouts
- Exercises designed to maintain or improve range of motion
It’s essential to pay attention to how your body reacts and not exert yourself excessively during this time. Any emergence of pain should prompt immediate rest.
For those dealing with a light MILC sprain (Grade I), they usually find themselves back in action after roughly four weeks but no longer than six weeks.As partaking in rehabilitative efforts becomes viable—spanning straightforward exercises that encourage movement to ones focusing on strength enhancement—you’ll notice improvement over time.At times individuals overlook the significance of full rehabilitation following less serious strains. However, to bolsterknee stability and diminish likelihood of future damage, it’s imperative that one adheres strictly to their prescribed rehab program throughout its entirety.
Moderate to Severe Tear Recovery
The rehabilitation from MCL injuries that are rated as moderate to severe, such as Grade 2 and 3 tears, involves a diligent and careful process. To aid in the healing of these substantial injuries, it is often necessary for you to use a brace for support and stabilization for a minimum duration of six weeks. Surgical interventions may also require the employment of crutches along with a stabilizing brace during the first six-week period after surgery. This approach ensures that your injured ligament recuperates while minimizing unnecessary stress.
A typical full recovery span for more acute MCL damage can extend up to approximately three months. The restorative journey starts either following injury or post-surgery commencement through an intricate rehabilitation regimen designed to enhance strength, flexibility, and stability within your knee joint progressively. As recovery advances over time, so does the difficulty level of prescribed exercises—eventually including those functional activities meant to gear you back into routine life tasks or athletic pursuits.
It should be acknowledged though that this timeframe can vary amongst individuals. Healing rates vary from person to person based on multiple factors which may include their activity levels prior to sustaining an MCL tear—for instance athletes might anticipate potentially half-a-year’s worth of rehabilitative care before achieving pre-injury performance standards again. Regularly throughout this period, your medical support team will conduct assessments pertaining specifically to muscular strength and functional ability in order to ensure optimum adherence onto the path towards complete recovery.
Long-term Care and Prevention
Sustained vigilance in the health of your knee is paramount even after you’ve recovered from an MCL injury and have resumed normal activities. It’s essential to integrate exercises geared towards strengthening and proprioception into your regular fitness regimen, as this helps uphold the integrity and stability of the knee joint, minimizing the possibility of future injuries.
It’s crucial to concentrate on enhancing your knee’s proprioceptive capabilities—the capacity for it to recognize its spatial orientation—to avert subsequent injuries effectively. Exercises that specifically address training under valgus stress (wherein there is inward motion at the knee) can be beneficial in strengthening tissue durability where susceptibility to MCL damage may be greatest.
Adopting preventive measures outstrips treatment every time. By promoting robust strength within your knees, not only are you safeguarding against MCL complications, but concurrently elevating both athletic prowess and life quality overall.
Returning to Normal Activities
As you near the end of your rehabilitation journey, it is natural to feel eager to get back into your normal activities whether they are mundane daily chores, professional duties or engaging in sports. To ensure a smooth transition, stick with a well-designed recovery plan that increases the intensity of activities steadily. Such plans aim at aiding you to restore strength, flexibility and stability in your knee carefully and effectively. It’s critical to note that each person heals differently. Thus how quickly one can resume full activity will differ based on several elements like injury severity level, general health status and adherence levels during rehab.
It’s imperative when getting back into action not overburden the recovering ligament by escalating gradually rather than all at once. Step up your activity load while vigilantly watching for any warning signs such as pain or discomfort from within yourself. Your knee should be free from pain and swelling whilst achieving its maximum range of motion before even contemplating reengaging in high-intensity exercises, begin cautiously with less impactful workouts such as walking or swimming before attempting more vigorous tasks. Engage consistently with healthcare providers throughout this period since they’re invaluable resources who can give personalized advice about safe progression through different stages of physical exertion including identifying signals if perhaps you are overexerting yourself too soon.
Assessing Readiness
Determining the appropriate time to reengage with sports or daily activities after an injured knee is a critical choice that should be made together with your medical professionals. The lack of pain and swelling when moving your knee will be one of the main aspects they examine. They’ll check for signs that may indicate a lack of stability in the area. To gauge whether you are fit to return, functional evaluations such as single-leg squats or hopping assessments might be conducted by your healthcare provider. These tests can identify any residual weakness or imbalance within the structure of your knee.
Equally important is measuring how well your injured knee matches up against the strength level of its counterpart—the uninjured limb. It’s common practice among health practitioners to look for 90% equivalent strength in the affected knee before giving their go ahead for returning fully to action-packed engagements. These guidelines have been carefully crafted not just so you feel ready but also as preventative measures aimed at reducing chances for recurring injuries on what has been impacted previously.
Gradual Return to Sports
For individuals passionate about sports and athletic endeavors, the ultimate goal after an MCL injury is to get back into play. To achieve this milestone effectively while reducing chances of Damage to your knee, a slow and methodical return is essential. Beginning with gentle exercises that exert little stress on your knee can be extremely beneficial. Such activities may consist of stationary biking or swimming. These are excellent ways to enhance both stamina and strength without exposing your knee to excessive impact.
Advancing through recovery involves gradually introducing more active movements as well as drills tailored for your specific sport. Your regimen might expand to include agility training, plyometric exercises, and ultimately non-contact practice related to your sporting discipline. The secret lies in incremental advancement—giving time for the injured MCL in your knee to adjust appropriately at each new activity level before you escalate the intensity of exercise—bolstering its fortitude necessary for enduring athletic demands.
Monitoring how our knees react during rehabilitation plays a significant role throughout this transition phase. Any symptoms such as pain, swelling or feelings of instability should act as indicators signaling potential overexertion. They suggest it could be prudent to delay rehab efforts slightly.
Proper conditioning ensures not just returning back on the field but maintaining continued participation securely—a patient approach optimizes healing ensuring one’s ability safely persist engaging passionately within their chosen physical activities post-MCL injury recovery process.
Summary
Our thorough examination of MCL injuries has illuminated that while they present challenges, overcoming them is entirely possible. We have investigated the structure of the MCL and examined various approaches to treatment, both operative and conservative, as well as highlighted the indispensable role rehabilitation plays in recuperation. Key points include the importance of swift identification and suitable intervention for these knee injuries. Patience is a cornerstone throughout recovery with a careful escalation back into regular activities being fundamental to enduring success. It’s imperative to remember that each instance of an MLC injury differs—your path toward healing will be distinctive to your situation. Collaboration with medical professionals, dedication to rehab exercises, and heeding your body’s signals can enable you triumph over an MCL injury leading you back onto sports fields or simply resuming pain-free daily life routines without issues related specifically to mcl pain. Stay encouraged and patient on this journey. Perseverance brings forth a strengthened knee ready for future endeavors!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it typically take to recover from an MCL injury?
Healing from an MCL injury might range from 4 to 6 weeks for minor sprains, escalate to about 12 weeks for moderate or severe tears, and in instances where surgery is necessary, recovery could extend up to half a year (Smith et al.).
Can I walk with an MCL injury?
The necessity of specific interventions for an MCL injury varies based on how serious the damage is. While mild sprains of the MCL can usually be managed with encouraged walking to aid recovery, more significant or severe tears may require the use of crutches coupled with a knee brace at first.
It’s critical to adhere strictly to your healthcare provider’s recommendations in order to ensure appropriate healing and rehabilitation.
Do all MCL injuries require surgery?
Typically, surgery isn’t necessary for the majority of MCL injuries. Instead, successful treatment often involves non-surgical approaches like bracing, rest, and physical therapy. Surgical intervention may be considered primarily in cases of significant tears or when other knee injuries accompany an MCL injury.
How can I prevent future MCL injuries?
In order to safeguard against subsequent MCL (medial collateral ligament) injuries, it is essential to prioritize the health of your knee. This can be achieved through consistent strengthening exercises targeting the muscles around the knee, enhancing balance and proprioception skills, adhering to correct techniques while engaging in sports and physical activities, as well as wearing suitable protective equipment when called for.
Is it normal to hear popping or clicking sounds in my knee after an MCL injury?
After sustaining an MCL injury, it is not uncommon to experience popping or clicking noises in the affected knee while it recovers. Should these sounds continue relentlessly or cause pain, seeking assessment from a medical expert becomes crucial to ensure there are no additional issues.
Any out-of-the-ordinary signs or symptoms should immediately be communicated to your physician or physical therapist managing your MCL injury.