Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) Repair

The most common knee ligament injury is an injury to the medial aspect of the knee. There are three main anatomic structures on the medial side of the knee, with the medial collateral ligament (MCL) being the largest and strongest. A large number of isolated MCL medial knee injuries are due to sporting events. They can be either a contact or non-contact stress to the outside of their knee, which in turn stretches or tears the medial knee structures on the inside of the knee.

The grade of the medial knee injury is based upon the amount of tearing present and treatment options depend on the location of the tear and if other ligaments are concurrently injured.

• Grade I: partial MCL tear
• Grade II: near complete MCL tear
• Grade III: a complete MCL tear – the ligament is non-functional

Surgeons at Peninsula Bone & Joint Clinic will perform a MCL reconstruction on patients who exhibit a grade III tear. In addition, it is well recognized having any “looseness” of the medial knee structures can cause an ACL graft to fail. Thus, when there is a combined medial knee injury and ACL injury, it is important to make sure the MCL injury heals completely prior to the ACL reconstruction or it should be concurrently repaired or reconstructed.

In the case of very severe combined knee ligament injuries, especially with a PCL tear, a concurrent medial knee injury should undergo a repair, augmentation repair, or a complete medial knee reconstruction (MCL reconstruction surgery).

Treatment

Rarely, an injury to the MCL will require surgery. Surgery is necessary when the ligament is torn in such a way that it can’t repair itself. It’s also done when the MCL injury occurs with other ligament injuries.

Before your surgery, your surgeon may use arthroscopy to thoroughly examine the extent of your injury and to look for associated injuries inside your knee. Arthroscopy involves inserting a small, thin camera through a tiny incision, or cut. After the arthroscopic exam, your surgeon will make a small incision along the inner aspect of your knee. If your ligament is torn where it attaches to either your shinbone or your thighbone, your surgeon can use one of these to reattach it:

  • large stitches
  • bone staples
  • a metal screw
  • a device called a suture anchor

If the tear is in the middle of the ligament, your surgeon will stitch the ligament together.

Conditions

  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament
  • Bursitis – pes Anserive
  • Cartilage Injuries
  • Degenerative Joint Disease (Osteoarthritis)
  • Iliotibial Band Syndrome
  • Knee Sprains & Strains
  • Lateral Collateral Ligament Injuries
  • Loose Bodies
  • Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) Injury
  • Meniscus Tears
  • Osgood Schlaater Disease
  • Osteochondritis Dissecans
  • Osteonecrosis of the Knee
  • Patella Tendonitis
  • Patella Tendon Rupture
  • Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (Runner’s Knee)
  • Posterior Cruciate Ligament Injury (PCL)
  • Quadriceps Tendon Tear
  • Unstable Kneecap

Treatments

  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament Repair (ACL)
  • Arthroscopic Chondroplasty
  • Arthroscopic Meniscus Repair
  • Autologous Chondrocyte Transplantation
  • Bilateral Knee Replacement Surgery
  • Cartilage Transplant
  • Computer-Assisted Total Knee Arthrhoplasty
  • High Tibial Osteotomy
  • JOURNEY II Total Knee Replacement
  • Knee Arthroscopy
  • Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) Repair
  • Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) Repair
  • Meniscus Repair
  • MPFL Reconstruction of the Patella
  • OCE – Repair of the Osteochondritis
  • Partial Knee Replacement
  • Partial Knee Resurfacing
  • Partial Menisectomy
  • Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Repair
  • Revision Knee Surgery
  • Subchondroplasty
  • Total Knee Replacement ~ VERILAST
  • Total Knee Replacement ~ VISIONAIRE
  • Uni-Compartmental Joint Repair

Conservative Treatments

The Orthopedic physicians at Peninsula Bone & Joint Clinic provide conservative treatment options for Knee conditions and injuries.

Dr. Paul Abeyta~ Orthopedic Surgeon

“I believe that excellent outcomes can be achieved with clear communication and treatment plans that are tailored to the individual needs of the patient. I emphasize injury prevention and utilize a multidisciplinary team which includes highly trained physical therapists. Careful diagnostic evaluation, compassionate care, and application of current medical information and surgical technique are all important for returning patients to their pre-injury level of activity.”

Dr. Paul Abeyta is a board-certified, orthopedic and Sports Medicine surgeon treating patients at Peninsula Bone & Joint Clinic in Burlingame, California.

Treatment Highlights

Innovative Sports Medicine

Dr. Paul Abeyta has elevated the procedural options for Meniscus Repair patients by offering the latest in innovative repair systems such as the Smith Nephew Fast Fix 360.

This system provides strong, suture repair without the need for a traditional open incision.  The latest in non-invasive Sports Medicine procedures.

Peninsula Bone & Joint Clinic

The Orthopaedic physicians at Peninsula Bone & Joint Clinic provide comprehensive services to all members of the family.
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Disclaimer

The information found on this site is for general orthopedic purposes only. In a medical emergency please dial 911 or go to your nearest Emergency Room.