The medial collateral ligament is a band like structure on the medial (inner) aspect of the knee that runs from the femur (thigh bone) to the tibia (shin bone).  Its functions to stop the knee buckling in towards the other knee when a force is applied to the lateral (outer) aspect of the knee.  If the knee is hit from the lateral aspect whilst weight bearing the ligament can be torn.   If the injury is severe there may also be an injury to the medial meniscus as the deep part of the ligament attaches to the meniscus.

Symptoms

• Pain on the medial aspect of the joint at the joint line.
• Swelling usually absent
• Inability to fully extend (straighten) leg
• Inability to flex knee (bend) knee more than 90 degrees
• Giving way of knee
• Pain aggravated when walking on uneven surface as knee has less stability
• Pain aggravated when walking when pushing off through toe on same leg

What you can do

• Apply RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) procedure

What we can do

• Flushing – massage technique to reduce swelling
• Deep friction massage over ligament to boost circulation and stimulate healing
• Prescription of exercises to strengthen surrounding muscles and stabilise joint

Tags: knee pain, medial knee pain