Anyone here ever torn their MCL?

Entity

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
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On July 5th, I injured my knee in an Ultimate tournament. I went to a doc two weeks after that, and after bending my knee around and moving it around, he said it looked like I had a sprained or slightly torn MCL. A few weeks ago I went in and got a second opinion at our school's Sports Medicine clinic (where they treat the football players, etc.) -- the expensive clinic; the doc took X-rays and said that it looks like I definitely tore my MCL.

However, at this point, I was already 6 weeks into my injury, and he noted that it was odd that I couldn't run on it yet without pain. I'm eight weeks into it now and still notice some pain occasionally, but it's never severe at all (not even enough to need an ibuprofin for). I am supposed to be starting in an ultimate league in another two weeks (doc said it should be fine), and I'm wondering if any of you that have torn your MCL could tell me how long it was until you never felt pain anymore, especially if you were active. The thing that has me a bit scared is that the doc mentioned that though doubtful, I might have meniscus damage, and if it still hurt at the mid-point of this month, I should go in for MRIs and possibly surgery. That will suck, considering the fact that my insurance runs out at the end of this month, and I don't know if they could get me in before then. :(

Anyway, just trying to get a gauge on how long the pain lasted for most of you that have had similar injuries. Any info would be appreciated. :)

Rob
 

Justin218

Platinum Member
Jan 21, 2001
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I don't really have any idea what I am talking about, but from watching football for many years, an MCL injury isn't that bad. Atleast compared to a torn ACL... Hope your knee gets better and you don't need surgery. Maybe you should wear a knee brace in this tournament?
 

BigJ

Lifer
Nov 18, 2001
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Depending on how severely you tore it, you could be out for anywhere from a week till 12 weeks, or longer.

2 years ago during the football season I was clipped on the left side of my left knee. Well my knee popped out, and in doing so partially tore my MCL. I was out for 2 weeks. The first week was excruciating pain. Very swollen, in a brace to demobilize the leg. Lots of Physical Therapy. The 2nd week wasnt so bad, but there was pain there and quite noticable.

I was back playing midway through the 3rd week, but the pain didn't go away till after the season and it could fully heal (roughly 6 weeks later). Your trainer will probably make you do sprints with sharp cuts and quick starting and stopping to test it out. Your leg might feel great, but when you do those tests, it will hurt quite a bit unless you are fully healed.

To this day, the knee still feels weird when its rainy out.
 

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
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I wouldn't do anything rigorous if there was any pain at all. That's just asking for trouble..
 

Entity

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
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Yeah, the MCL is relatively minor compared to meniscus damage or a torn ACL. I never had any swelling in it and it just felt like a minor injury (like I bruised something), but it never quite went away. I'll be starting sprints tomorrow to see how the progress is. I ran on it for 1/2 mile the other day @ 5.5-6mph, and it felt just fine.

Rob (crosses fingers)
 

bigdog1218

Golden Member
Mar 7, 2001
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I'd get an MRI just to be safe, they're expensive, but if there's a problem with your meniscus you could cause further damage. I tore my MCL, meniscus and ACL at the same time, and my doctor told me my MCL was def. torn and an MRI wasn't necessary. My knee kept bothering me for like 6 months went to another doctor, got the MRI and the bad news.
 

Entity

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
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:(

I just tried interval running for the first time since the injury, and though my knee doesn't hurt at all, it just doesn't feel like it has any support; it feels like it's going to give out at any time. I'll stick to no impact exercise and call the doc for an MRI appointment on Monday. Better get it in before my insurances expires (Sep 28). :(

Rob
 

Argo

Lifer
Apr 8, 2000
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I sprained my MCL in July of this year. I could barely walk the next 2 days. It hurt when running for another 2 weeks or so. In fact, I didn't start doing squats or working out my legs until mid August, 2 months later. Now I would imagine a tear would take a lot longer to heal.

Also, was it a partial or a complete tear?
 

guapo337

Platinum Member
Apr 7, 2003
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I heavily strained/slightly tore my MCL two summers ago.. I tore it in late June, and was set to go for soccer preseason with little pain in mid-August. However, I exercised little, and only started running about a week before preseason started. I mainly walked around on it, I didn't ride my bike, or anything like that.
 

Brutuskend

Lifer
Apr 2, 2001
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About 12-15 years ago I broke my left knee (playing hacky sack of ALL things). I came down on it and at the same time hyper extended it. I went to the emergency room and got X rayed and they said "YEAH it's broken, go see a specialist"

Broke as I was I never did. I used DMSO on it and used it again as soon as I was able to. BTW At the time I had been strictly a cyclist for 7 years and had legs like tree trunks. Even after the injury I kept riding (with just the good leg at first, then using the bad one when I could bend it) I also swam when I could. After 2-3 months went by I was at the park one day and just HAD to play some Hacky Sack... this time I tore both the right upper and left upper ligaments loose (don't know the proper name for them, and once again I didn't go to the Doctor) They did heal up rather quickly though, and like before I used the leg as much as I could. My knee is now almost as good as before the injury, but it does still sometimes ache though nothing very bad. In fact I have met a lot of people that had knee surgery and THEY have more problems than I do without having undergone ANY. I think the biggest mistake most people make after a injury is they baby the effected limb. IMO you HAVE to use it, get the blood going to it and it will a lot of the time heal itself!
 

Entity

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
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Originally posted by: Brutuskend
About 12-15 years ago I broke my left knee (playing hacky sack of ALL things). I came down on it and at the same time hyper extended it. I went to the emergency room and got X rayed and they said "YEAH it's broken, go see a specialist"

Broke as I was I never did. I used DMSO on it and used it again as soon as I was able to. BTW At the time I had been strictly a cyclist for 7 years and had legs like tree trunks. Even after the injury I kept riding (with just the good leg at first, then using the bad one when I could bend it) I also swam when I could. After 2-3 months went by I was at the park one day and just HAD to play some Hacky Sack... this time I tore both the right upper and left upper ligaments loose (don't know the proper name for them, and once again I didn't go to the Doctor) They did heal up rather quickly though, and like before I used the leg as much as I could. My knee is now almost as good as before the injury, but it does still sometimes ache though nothing very bad. In fact I have met a lot of people that had knee surgery and THEY have more problems than I do without having undergone ANY. I think the biggest mistake most people make after a injury is they baby the effected limb. IMO you HAVE to use it, get the blood going to it and it will a lot of the time heal itself!

Good advice; I excercise religiously, but in no-impact methods, so I don't kill my knee (or myself) in the process. Things like stairmaster, elliptical, cycling, and lifting all feel fine on the knee. The sprints I did today, though? No go, and I notice a bit of swelling now. :(

I'm gonna call the doc on Monday and setup and appointment to get an MRI. Wish me luck; I'm seriously hoping surgery isn't necessary.

Rob