Advice

In the acute stages of injury, it may be difficult to fully bend and straighten the knee following an MCL injury. When the pain and swelling have improved, you may be able to bend and straighten your knee, but significant injuries can create instability. The medial collateral ligament (MCL) provides support to the inner side of the knee and restrains it from buckling into a knock-kneed position. Significant injuries to the MCL can produce instability that inhibits the ability to change directions quickly when walking or running.