Heiden will help you determine if surgery is necessary. Recovery can take six months or more depending on the severity of the injury. In most cases, a graft is used to replace the torn part of the ligament. Moderate to severe ACL tears can require surgery to resolve. He will provide a stabilizing brace and may recommend crutches during the initial healing process. Heiden will evaluate the condition of your knee and guide you in rehabilitation. Immediately after injuring your knee, apply ice to the area, use a compression garment to stabilize the joint, and prop up your knee to elevate it until you can get medical treatment.ĭr. Because the MCL is located on the side of your knee, the pain and swelling will be located on the inside of the knee structure rather than the middle. You will likely feel pain in the center of your knee during an ACL tear. An ACL tear will have a more distinctive and loud popping sound than an MCL tear.Īdditionally, the location of your pain and swelling could indicate either an ACL or MCL tear. ACL vs MCL Symptomsīoth ACL and MCL tears can result in the following:Īlthough the symptoms are similar, a few key differences will help you identify whether the injury affected the ACL or MCL. You may hear a popping sound, followed by pain and swelling along the inside of the knee.
When the knee is twisted, bent, or pushed to the side in an unnatural way, the ligament will stretch and result in a partial or full tear. The MCL is often injured when the outer knee is hit very hard, causing strain on the inner knee. Athletes who play high-contact sports like football or hockey may injure the MCL when colliding with another player. It also connects your shin to your thigh bone. The MCL, or medial collateral ligament, runs long the inside of your knee and keeps the joint from over-extending. You may experience swelling or be unable to put weight on the injured knee. You will likely hear a “popping” noise if that type of injury occurs. Moderate to severe injuries can cause a partial or full tear of the ligament. A mild injury may strain the ligament but keep it intact. Injuries can range from overextending the ligament to a full tear. ACL injuries commonly occur while playing sports that involve sudden stops or changes in direction, such as basketball, soccer, tennis, or football. The anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, is located in the middle of your knee and helps stabilize the joint. Knowing the signs and symptoms of a tear can help you identify which of these two ligaments is injured and receive appropriate treatment. The two ligaments connect your femur (thigh bone) to your tibia (shin bone) and protect the menisci that cushion the knee joint. This allows time for the swelling to go down and normal movement regained before reconstructing the ligament.Your ACL and MCL are both ligaments in your knee. In cases where surgery is the treatment of choice, your surgeon will often delay the timing of your operation.