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Articles » Injuries » Injuries of the lower limbs » Medial Ligament Sprain

Medial Collateral Ligament Sprain of the Knee

What it Effects

  • The ligament on the inside of the knee

Who it Effects

  • Common in football and rugby players

Mechanism of Injury

  • Force applied to the outside the leg above the knee
  • When the foot is fixed to the floor but the femur is turned inwards(internal rotation) especially if the tibia is slightly turned outwards (external rotation) e.g. this could occur if a player gets his studs stuck in the ground but goes to turn

Signs and Symptoms (Depend upon degree of sprain sustained)

  • Pain
  • Point tenderness
  • Increased movement on valgus stress test
  • Swelling
  • Instability
  • Pain reproduced on sit to stand

Treatment

  • PRICE in acute stage of grade 1-3 sprain
  • Proprioceptive exercises are a very important part of rehabilitation
  • Crutches
  • Ultrasound to break down formation of scar tissue and align collagen
  • ROM (range of movement) exercises for ankle, knee and hip continued until there is full pain free ROM
  • Isometric quad exercises e.g. SLR (straight leg raise) should be the first strengthening exercises attempted
  • Cycling- a good non weight bearing activity to attempt once there is sufficient ROM
  • Isotonic exercises can be attempted after isometric exercises are achieved to good standard. The resistance can be increased using theraband / machines
  • When running is attempted it should first be running in straight lines and then gradually progressed

Additional Information

If you have any questions, please use the comment form below or post a thread on the forums.

— Phil @ 6:01 pm, July 17, 2006


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