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What Are The Symptoms of an MCL Tear? " Cam a 26-year-old male playing flag football "

Case study ( 8332 views as of December 21, 2024 )

Cam, a 26-year-old male playing flag football on the weekend, presents for evaluation of his left knee. He complains of medial-sided pain and some swelling. He finds that it feels loose and is very stiff first thing in the morning. He denies any previous injury to the knee. He was hit on the outer side of his knee by an opposing player and his knee buckled inwards. He had immediate sharp burning pain along the inside part of his knee.

An examination by the physician reveals normal alignment and no sign of a hemarthrosis. Range of motion is full but there is pain along the medial side of the joint. There is tenderness along the medial femoral condyle. There is no tenderness along either jointline. Ligament testing reveals a stable ACL and PCL. The MCL is slightly lax with an endpoint and pain with testing. The LCL is normal on exam. The joint above and below are normal on examination.

Cam could benefit his condition by seeing a physiotherapist to help him with stability and an MRI to rule out a tear. A bracing specialist could help him with bracing options to keep his knee mobile and active and a sports medicine doctor for further evaluation. Lastly, Cam could ask for a referral to an orthopedic surgeon to consult about potential surgical options.

Author: Dr. Jordan Leith

What Are The Symptoms of an MCL Tear? " Cam a 26-year-old male playing flag football "

Case Introduction

Understanding MCL (Medial Collateral Ligament) Tears

MCL (Medial Collateral Ligament) knee injuries.

Presented by

Dr. Jordan Leith

Dr. Jordan Leith

MD, MHSc, FRCSC

Orthopaedic Surgeon

MCL (Medial Collateral Ligament) Knee Surgery

MCL (Medial Collateral Ligament) Knee Surgery ( 96 engaged.)

Open and print the educational action plan for conversation with your Healthcare provider.

MCL (Medial Collateral Ligament) Knee Surgery

Treatments

Stability Braces For MCL Tears

Practitioner help from:

Mr. Dale Harris

Bracing & Equipment Specialist
MRI Analysis To Assess MCL Tears

Practitioner help from:

Dr. Greg Louie

Radiologist
Osteoarthritis and Knee Pain From MCL Tears

Practitioner help from:

Dr. Steve Martin

BSc. Hons (Kin) MD MSc CCFP FCBOM Dip Sport Med. PG Cert Med. Ed.

Sports Medicine Physician

Treatments

Physiotherapy In The Treatment Of MCL Tears

Practitioner help from:

Mark Pierce

Physiotherapist
Symptoms Of Knee Pain and MCL Tears

Practitioner help from:

Dr. Marina Uzelac

Chiropractor
Multi-Ligament Knee Injuries Involving MCL Tears

Practitioner help from:

Dr. Ralph Lapp

Orthopaedic Surgeon

16

Conversation based on: What Are The Symptoms of an MCL Tear? " Cam a 26-year-old male playing flag football "

What Are The Symptoms of an MCL Tear? " Cam a 26-year-old male playing flag football "

Mr. Jackson Sayers BSc., Kinesiologist, Vancouver, BC 31 December 2023

One of the primary functions of the hamstring muscles is hip extension. This means they allow you to move your leg backward, as in activities like walking, running, and climbing stairs. Additionally, the hamstrings play a crucial role in knee flexion, allowing you to bend your knee by pulling the lower leg toward the back of the thigh. In addition to these main functions, the hamstrings also assist in other leg movements. They help stabilize the knee joint and provide support during activities that involve twisting or pivoting motions, such as playing sports. It's worth noting that tight or weak hamstrings can contribute to various issues, including muscle strains, lower back pain, and altered movement patterns. Therefore, maintaining hamstring flexibility and strength through regular stretching and strengthening exercises is important for overall leg function and injury prevention.

Reply to: What Are The Symptoms of an MCL Tear? " Cam a 26-year-old male playing flag football "
Joy 15 June 2015

Perhaps resting his knee for a significant amount of time would allow it to heal.

Reply to: What Are The Symptoms of an MCL Tear? " Cam a 26-year-old male playing flag football "
- Michelle Kaarto, BScK, CSEP CEP 16 November 2015
  
  I would venture a guess that this flag football is a weekend recreational activity for this man, and if he is not doing a lot of other exercise, he could definitely be more susceptible to a knee injury like an MCL tear. This case doesn't mention whether he is at a healthy weight, but if he is carrying around some extra weight that could put more stress on his knee and increase his risk for injury.
- K. Michael 12 October 2015
  
  The case study indicates that he injured his knee while playing flag football but it doesn't really say whether that's something he does on a regular basis. If he was only a part time athlete it might explain why he injured his knee so badly
Joy 06 April 2015

Participating in exercises throughout the week could make him less prone to injury when he plays on the weekends.

Reply to: What Are The Symptoms of an MCL Tear? " Cam a 26-year-old male playing flag football "
- K. Michael 08 September 2015
  
  This is good advice. Having strong leg muscles helps protect your joints
ShirleyG 12 February 2015

Is there a way that MCL tears can be avoided ?

Reply to: What Are The Symptoms of an MCL Tear? " Cam a 26-year-old male playing flag football "
Michelle Kaarto, BScK, CSEP CEP 05 February 2015

I think it's important when people who play strenuous sports occasionally hurt themselves, that they understand the injury and what modifications should be taken until they are fully recovered. By working with a physiotherapist, this young man can take the necessary steps to returning to his activity without rushing it, as many 'weekend warriors' do, opening themselves up to easy re-injury.

Reply to: What Are The Symptoms of an MCL Tear? " Cam a 26-year-old male playing flag football "
- K. Michael 14 July 2015
  
  That's a very good point @Michelle Kaarto. Many weekend warriors have a "walk it off" attitude towards injuries. It's important to know when an injury should be seen by a doctor before it becomes a real issue
K. Michael 04 January 2015

When it's mentioned that the knee feels loose ? Is that due to swelling and fluid retention ?

Reply to: What Are The Symptoms of an MCL Tear? " Cam a 26-year-old male playing flag football "
K. Michael 06 December 2014

What is a hemarthrosis ? And how is it diagnosed or ruled out ?

Reply to: What Are The Symptoms of an MCL Tear? " Cam a 26-year-old male playing flag football "
- Bernadette van der Boom-Bebb 04 February 2015
  
  Hemarthrosis is bleeding into the joint spaces. As to how it is diagnosed, it can be seen on an x-ray by a trained radiologist.
K. Michael 28 November 2014

My husband had an MCL tear in his left knee. It was especially puzzling to his doctor as he doesn't play sports. It was finally speculated that long term wearing of steel toe workboots caused the issue

Reply to: What Are The Symptoms of an MCL Tear? " Cam a 26-year-old male playing flag football "
Michelle Kaarto, BScK, CSEP CEP 24 November 2014

I see a lot of injuries happening with people that go out and do strenuous exercise on the weekends, like team sports. Having a regular exercise program to help your baseline level of fitness can better prepare you for these harder workouts.

Reply to: What Are The Symptoms of an MCL Tear? " Cam a 26-year-old male playing flag football "
Mr. Jackson Sayers BSc., Kinesiologist, Vancouver, BC 13 November 2014

While I have not personally torn my MCl I have had my knees scoped and certainly dealt with a lot of pain with competing in over 100 Triathlons. getting on top of injuries as fast as possible helps significantly with recovery.

Reply to: What Are The Symptoms of an MCL Tear? " Cam a 26-year-old male playing flag football "
- Mr. Jackson Sayers BSc., Kinesiologist, Vancouver, BC 03 May 2022
  
  ACL stands for anterior cruciate ligament

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