Medial collateral ligament

Shawn asked The Guru for the following Physiotherapy Advice:

Hi, I felt my left knee twist painfully while performing a lunge in fencing.

I’ve ice and compressed, but one week later I still have a pain on the inside of my leg, aligned with the knee. If I push that area it hurts (so I avoid pushing it!). It is worse if I keep my leg in the same position for long periods, so especially the morning when I wake and near the end of the day if I spend too much time sitting down.

The pain disappears if I keep a bend to my leg, but will flair up if I straighten it and raise it from the ground.

I am 30, a long distance runner and not had problems with my knees before. Thank you

Hi Shawn

It sounds as if you’ve tweaked your medial collateral ligament.

There are 2 bands of fibres, which means that you’ll find a different sensation through different parts of range.

If you’ve got a knee brace (with hinges down the edges is best) then put it on. The problem with a highly innervated MCL is that every time you knock your foot you tweak your MCL – and so the process continues.

Ice and compression is good. Return to strength is also good. I wouldn’t overstretch the knee, and keep in sensible shoes (sorry!)

If you’re not seeing true signs of improvement within the next week, do seek advice BUT you should improve, as long as you don’t do anything that’ll knock you back wards….