Medial Collateral Ligament Sprain (MCL Sprain)
The Medial Collateral Ligament otherwise more commonly referred to as the MCL is the ligament found on the inside of the knee. This important ligament of the knee joins the end of the femur (thigh bone) and the top of the tibia (shin bone). It is tightly drawn when the leg is straight thereby preventing the 'opening up' of the knee joint.
Causes
This Medial Collateral Ligament is very commonly injured while participating in sports such as football and skiing. It often accompanies an ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) injury. When the leg is hit from the outside of the knee joint, the knee tends to twist and buckle thus causing the ligament to over-stretch or tear. The cartilage or meniscus of the knee may also be torn during an MCL injury. Clipping during a football game is an excellent example of how this type of injury may occur.
Minor tears may not be noticed immediately but rather appear anywhere from a few hours to 2 days later. Common symptoms include pain and swelling directly over the ligament. Bruising will often appear 1-2 days after the injury occurs. More serious tears or ruptures of the MCL ligament may also make the knee feel unstable and leave the individual unable or unwilling to walk.
Treatment
Immediate treatment of the MCL injury include the application of cold or ice packs to the affected area, and elevation of the knee. It is also important to allow the injured knee to rest. Light compression of the knee joint with the use of an elasticized support bandage may also be directed by your care giver.
Very occasionally an individual with an MCL injury will require surgery. More often though, individuals with mild or moderate tearing will wear a hinged knee brace and will be advised to seek physiotherapy treatment. A common technique used in the treatment of MCL injuries by physiotherapists is ultrasound. Ultrasound is a healing technique that has been in existence around the world for many decades. Ultrasound reduces swelling and pain in the knee. At the same time it also increases the blood supply to the affected area stimulating tissues and increasing the rate of healing.
Not only does ultrasound aid in the duration of healing, but it helps to prevent long term complications. Pain, scar tissue, lack of mobility and arthritis are some of the more common long term complications from an MCL injury. By speeding up the healing process with ultrasound, less scar tissue is formed, swelling and pain are reduced.
For those who suffer from long term complications of existing Medial Collateral Ligament injuries, ultrasound can help. Ultrasound therapy can help to break up scar and fibrous tissue in the affected area. For those with chronic pain and inflammation ultrasound will help to reduce these and free the individual.
Prevention
Gradually increasing the intensity of exercise and being aware of the movement of the knee are key factors in reducing the risk of injury to the knee. Regular exercise and maintaining good physical condition, particularly when participating in sports such as football and skiing are also excellent ways to avoid injury. Avoiding sudden movements such as twisting or overstretching of the joint will help keep the knee stable.
 A Radiant Energy Kit is one of the most helpful tools for a wide varity of painful knee related injuries and conditions. Through the absorption of radiant energy, tissues are safely and gently heated - increasing blood flow within the treated area. Your body's natural response to this increased temperature is to try to maintain a condition of homeostasis - a balanced environment or state of equilibrium throughout the body. To do this, your body responds with a rapid increase in blood flow to the area (this is known as vasodilation), increasing the supply of nutrients to injured cells and flushing out toxins (including lactic acid, commonly found in trigger points) to promote healing. Our Thermotex Knee Pain Relief Device provides effective, non-invasive, non-addictive pain relief with no side effects.
Our Cold Compression Wraps are recommended by countless medical professionals. That's why we sell them, because they are the best. We have noticed over time that our customers are so fond of our cold wraps that they are frequently coming back and ordering a second one. The wraps are becoming very popular with baseball and soccer trainers, and the wraps can be conveniently stored in a cooler for quick application on the field when needed.
Ultrasound therapy is also a helpful tool for pain prevention of knee injuires, and having a portable ultrasound device at home can be a powerful and convenient treatment tool. If you have symptoms or are recovering from a knee related injury, using ultrasound on a regular basis before your activity or throughout the day will help relax your muscles, tendons and tissues, diminish pain and inflammation, soften scar tissue and contribute greatly to the healing of your injury.
If you suffer from pain after certain activities or movements use ultrasound therapy when you complete the activity and then rest. Limit the application of ultrasound to a couple of treatments per day (the manual will recommend treatment frequency depending upon the injury). In between ultrasound treatments, maximize your pain relief and injury recovery by using the Thermotex Personal Therapy System. Proven Performance, Proven Relief - only found at MendMeShop.com. If you have been given a treatment plan by your health professional, make sure you adhere to it to ensure pain free living. In general, people who are committed to their therapies and exercises will have the best medical outcomes.
Do you have more questions?
We encourage you to contact our office directly with any questions you may have treating your knee releated injuries. You can be assured all your questions will be answered in a thorough and courteous manner by our trained staff.
Feel free to email us at contact@mendmeshop.
Our toll free number is available during regular business hours - Continental US and Canadian 1-877-876-4588 or International Callers 705 445 3505
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We wish you a great day and we look forward to hearing from you.
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