Multidisciplinary Team Approach to Healing MCL Pain

Fellowship trained, board certified sports medicine physicians at University Hospitals take time to understand each patient’s history and activity goals before presenting treatment options for medial collateral ligament (MCL) tears. To increase patient wellness and their ability to be active after a knee injury, our team collaborates to offer a comprehensive approach to healing. Our multidisciplinary orthopaedic and sports medicine team includes:

• Orthopaedic surgeons
• Sports Medicine doctors
• Sports Medicine Physical therapists
• Occupational therapists
• Certified athletic trainers
• Certified nutritionists
• Pharmacists

Using Arthroscopy for Improved Healing

If there is no improvement after more conservative MCL tear treatments have been used, minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery can be used to treat knee injuries, including torn MCL and MCL sprain repair. Our experienced team of orthopaedic surgeons offer comprehensive, specialized services for knee injuries or conditions. We offer arthroscopic joint surgery and the newest procedures like bicompartmental arthroplasty. This advanced MCL surgery offers knee repair that retains some of the patient's own ligaments.

Personalized Treatment Plans for MCL Tears

The most common cause of an MCL tear is when the knee is hit on the outside, causing the MCL to overstretch and tear. Torn MCL symptoms include inner knee pain and swelling around the injured area. Should a patient be diagnosed with an MCL tear, an individualized rehabilitation treatment plan will begin with our expert physical therapists and athletic trainers. For MCL tear treatment, physical therapists may use a range of therapies including:

• Applications of ice or moist heat
• Splints
• Steroid injections
• Stretching
• Tissue mobilization
• Topical gels

Integrative Therapies for MCL Tears

Our physicians, therapists and trainers are highly knowledgeable about integrative therapies that may stimulate healing with MCL tears and preserve the joint. Integrative therapies may include:

• Acupuncture
• Aquatics
• Blood flow restricting therapy
• Medical yoga
• Platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections
• Shock wave therapy
• Ultrasound dry needling

Learn More about MCL Treatment

If you have issues with knee pain, or would like to learn more about knee treatments at University Hospitals, contact one of our team members at any of our convenient locations.