So I finally found out today I sprained my MCL last Saturday. MRI set for tomorrow and I’m wearing a knee brace. The doctor was rather rushed so I didn’t want to waste time asking him questions that could easily be answered here, I’m sure.
Barring a need to have the knee scoped, how long do these take to heal? (Again, not yet sure if it’s grade I II or III)
What does the MCL look like? And exactly what does it do? Judging from the pain it’s gotta be one of the more important pieces of tissue. And is there a way to condition my knees so I can avoid this in the future?
Finally, are there any lingering problems with just a sprain? I’d think not, but knees seem to be about as troublesome as backs when it comes to a seemingly simple injury.
IANA medical or sports professional, but I did partially tear my MCL at a Holiday Inn Express last night.
Not wait, it wasn’t last night, it was several years ago. And to be honest it wasn’t at a Holiday Inn Express, either.
But it did happen. This was soon after being perhaps too perfunctory with rehab after ACL surgery and trying to play hard. The surgeon popped me in an immobilizing brace for 6 weeks (take it off to sleep, shower, lounge, etc.), and then redo the last half of the ACL rehab with a bit more dedication.
Other than the hamstring injury during rehab, everything went fine. The knee is still a little unstable once in a while, but I think that’s from some damage related to the ACL, not the MCL injury. And hamstrings sometimes never really heal. But the MCL seems to be fine!
Don’t know if you’ll need so much treatment or time if it’s just a minor sprain.