sprained mcl?

[zapper138]

Hey all, i was horseing around with some friends and I think I sprained my mcl. The pain feels like it's kind of under the knee cap to right side of my right knee. Anyway I felt pain for about a week when walking but now the pain is a lot less and there is slight pain when the knee get extended far and in the mornings. My question is it safe to start exercise, (Kicking the ball around) or should I wait untill there is no more pain?

[SaberWolf]

If it really is your MCL then I would deffinately wait. Those things (if hurt) can cause serious damage in later life, if you don't let it heal properly. Go see a trainer, to see if it is your MCL.

[Lance Knight]

take a rest

[Rema]

I agree, go see a doctor/PT. You DO NOT want to mess around or take risks with ANY ligaments, especially those in the knee. I had a knee injury, and judging by what you're saying the pain was in generally the same spot. Went to the doctors and they said it was just bruising (I never had an MRI though, and I don't really think the doctor was accurate - he seemed rushed and wasn't my usual doctor). Anyways, I took myself out of playing for a month and a half and my knee has basically healed properly now, still hurts after a long while. Just take care of yourself, don't push things. If it hurts, STOP. But a doctor/PT is necessary.

[zapper138]

Thanks for the advice guys.

[Link]

Yeam man, NEVER mes with the knee, You may have sprained your MCL, and you never will know when that ligament is better judging on pain. I'd say go to a doctor to be safe, get a second opinion too. Ice it every nigh too, just make sure you rest it.

[Rickster]

wats MCL?

[Rema]

wats MCL?

The MCL is the medial collateral ligament in the knee. It's a stabilizer (similar to the ACL - anterior cruciate ligament) and is found on the inside of the knee.

For all your MCL needs :), http://orthopedics.about.com/cs/kneeinjuries/a/mclinjury.htm.

[Dizzee Wahil]

Actually, if it is the ligament - which it sounds to me like it might be - DONT ice it, EXCEPT for the first 24 hours before the injury. Ligaments actually require blood flow to heal. Thus you should be trying to exercise it, apply heat and analgesics (sp?) [ thats asprin etc and one good one I'm told is Nurofen gel ]. I actually happen to have an injury to knee ligaments at the moment and the best way to exericse that stuff is through swimming - coz its no impact n the water is great for the muscle -, I've also been doing a bit of cycling. However, if it is muscle then ice is important. You can usually feel around the area yourself to work out which one it is.

Having said that, if you dont know enough and you havent experienced this stuff before go and see a Physiotherapist or Doctor, ASAP!

BTW, Of which knee is it the right side?

[zapper138]

It my right knee on the right side. It gotta a lot better as far as pain, i'd like to see a trainer or doctor but i'm a poor college student. I k=now only feel pain if my knee is extended pretty far or sometimes when i moving my foot around to get into a sneaker.

[zapper138]

Also I dont feel pain as i feel around the knee area. thanks for the info dizzie.