How long does it take for a knee ligament strain to heal?

You may need a splint or brace (immobilizer) for a partly torn ligament. A complete tear may need surgery. A minor knee sprain may take up to 6 weeks to heal, while a severe sprain may take months . Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety.

Can you still walk with a torn ligament in your knee?

Full tears of the ACL and MCL are serious and can affect future movement. If the MCL or ACL tears, the result is usually pain, swelling, stiffness, and instability. In most cases, the injured person can still walk with the torn knee ligament . But the movement will be severely limited, not to mention painful.

What does an MCL tear feel like?

What are MCL tear symptoms? The most noticeable MCL tear symptom is pain on the inside of your knee directly over the ligament . You may also hear and feel a “popping” sensation in your knee at the time of injury. Other common symptoms include bruising, knee instability, swelling, and the inability to hold your weight.

How do I know if I tore my ACL or meniscus?

ACL tears are often associated with a popping sound, immediate swelling, and a feeling of instability . MCL tears commonly cause knee pain and tenderness along the inner side of the knee. Meniscus tears may produce a popping sensation, locking or catching of the knee, and difficulty straightening the leg.

Is walking good for knee ligament injuries?

In case of ligament sprain or rupture, doctors generally will recommend using the knee normally. Walking should not cause any more damage . However, make sure to walk with your heel down first. In the case of recovering patients, gradually increase the activity duration.

Can you bend your knee with ligament damage?

Grade 3: A grade 3 injury is a complete tear or rupture of the knee ligament. Grade 3 injuries often involve more than one knee ligament. With this level of injury, you will experience severe bruising, swelling and pain. You won't be able to put weight on the leg or bend the knee .

How do I know if I tore my MCL or meniscus?

Palpation of the joint line can also help determine the difference between an MCL tear and a meniscus tear. The MCL will usually hurt directly over the ligament itself, whereas pain in the front or behind the MCL it often can be a meniscus tear. In addition, if one gaps open, one commonly has an MCL tear.

How to tell the difference between a sprained knee and a torn ligament?

Mild sprain: The affected ligament is stretched, however, the joint is still stable. Moderate sprain: The ligament has been partially torn but has not completely separated from the bone. This causes the joint to be unstable. Severe sprain: The damaged ligament has been completely torn or separated from the bone.

Can you bend your knee with a torn ligament?

Grade 3: A grade 3 injury is a complete tear or rupture of the knee ligament. Grade 3 injuries often involve more than one knee ligament. With this level of injury, you will experience severe bruising, swelling and pain. You won't be able to put weight on the leg or bend the knee .

Can torn knee ligaments heal on their own?

Ligaments are durable and flexible, despite the size and lack of blood supply. However, an unnatural twist or hyperextension can tear the tissue. Minor tears can heal without surgery, needing continuous support and care . However, full-thickness tears need surgical help.

Knee Ligament Injuries (2024)

What are knee ligament injuries?

Knee ligaments are the short bands of tough, flexible connective tissue that hold the knee together. Knee ligament injuries can be caused by trauma, such as a car accident. Or they can be caused by sports injuries. An example is a twisting knee injury in basketball or skiing.

The knee has 4 major ligaments. Ligaments connect bones to each other. They give the joint stability and strength. The 4 knee ligaments connect the thighbone (femur) to the shin bone (tibia). They are:

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). This ligament is in the center of the knee. It controls rotation and forward movement of the shin bone.
Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). This ligament is in the back of the knee. It controls backward movement of the shin bone.
Medial collateral ligament (MCL). This ligament gives stability to the inner knee.
Lateral collateral ligament (LCL). This ligament gives stability to the outer knee.

What causes knee ligament injuries?

Cruciate ligaments

The ACL is one of the most common ligaments to be injured. The ACL is often stretched or torn during a sudden twisting motion. This is when the feet stay planted one way, but the knees turn the other way. Slowing down while running or landing from a jump incorrectly can cause ACL injuries.Skiing, basketball, and football are sports that have a higher risk for ACL injuries.

Collateral ligaments

The MCL is injured more often than the LCL. Stretch and tear injuries to the collateral ligaments are often caused by a blow to the outer side of the knee. This can happen when playing hockey or football.

What are the symptoms of knee ligament injuries?

Cruciate injury

A cruciate ligament injury often causes pain. Often you may hear a popping sound when the injury happens. Then your leg buckles when you try to stand on it. The knee also swells. You also aren't able to move your knee as you normally would. You may also feel pain along the joint and pain when walking.

The symptoms of a cruciate ligament injury may seem like other health conditions. Always see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

Collateral ligament injury

An injury to the collateral ligament also causes the knee to pop and buckle. It also causes pain and swelling. Often you will have pain at the sides of the knee and swelling over the injury site. If it is an MCL injury, the pain is on the inside of the knee. An LCL injury may cause pain on the outside of the knee. The knee will also feel unstable, like it is going to give way.

How are knee ligament injuries diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will ask about your health history and do a physical exam. You may also need 1 or both of these tests:

X-ray. This imaging test can rule out an injury to bone instead of a ligament injury. It uses energy beams to make images of internal tissues, bones, and organs on film.
MRI. This test uses large magnets, radio waves, and a computer to make detailed images of organs and structures in the body. It can often find damage or disease in bones and a surrounding ligament, tendon, or muscle.

How are knee ligament injuries treated?

Treatment will depend on your symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is. Treatment may include:

Pain medicine, such as ibuprofen
Muscle-strengthening exercises
Protective knee brace
Ice pack to ease swelling
Surgery

Key points about knee ligament injuries

Knee ligaments are the short bands of elastic tissue that holds the knee together. There are 4 main ligaments in each knee.
Knee ligament injuries can be cause by trauma, such as a car accident. Or they can by caused by sports injuries.
See Also
CLINICAL TRIAL / NCT04830137 - UChicago Medicine
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the most common ligaments to be injured.
Treatment may include medicine, muscle-strengthening exercises, a knee brace, or surgery.

Next steps

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:

Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen.
Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells you.
At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new directions your provider gives you.
Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed, and how it will help you. Also know what the side effects are.
Ask if your condition can be treated in other ways.
Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.
Know what to expect if you do not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.
If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.
Know how you can contact your healthcare provider if you have questions.