Knee conditions
Knee ligament injury treatment
MCL, LCL and PCL sprains and tears, including the ones that never quite settled, treated with ultrasound-guided injections and rehabilitation where suitable.
Understanding the condition
The four ligaments that hold the knee together
Besides the ACL, three other ligaments keep the knee stable. The medial collateral ligament (MCL) runs along the inner side and resists the knee bending inwards. The lateral collateral ligament (LCL) does the same on the outer side. The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) sits behind the ACL in the centre of the knee and stops the shin from sliding backwards.
The MCL is the one most often injured, usually by a blow to the outside of the knee or a twisting fall. PCL injuries typically follow a direct hit to the front of the shin with the knee bent, such as a fall onto the knee or a dashboard injury in a road accident. Sprains are graded from 1 (stretched fibres) to 3 (a complete tear). Some partial tears never fully heal and leave a knee that aches on the side or feels unreliable for years.
Symptoms
Signs of a ligament injury
- Pain and tenderness along the inner or outer side of the knee
- Swelling and bruising after a fall or tackle
- Pain when the knee is pushed sideways
- A feeling of looseness or wobbling
- Ache at the back of the knee or difficulty on stairs after a PCL injury
- Long-standing pain at an old injury site that flares with activity
Severe instability after an injury, or several ligaments injured together, needs prompt assessment.
Usual treatment
How knee ligament injuries are usually treated
Most MCL and many LCL and PCL injuries are treated without surgery: a hinged brace for a few weeks, early movement, and strengthening. Grade 1 and 2 sprains usually settle this way. Surgery is mainly needed for complete tears with marked instability, injuries involving several ligaments, or an LCL injury that is part of a wider injury to the outer corner of the knee.
The problem cases are partial tears that heal poorly and keep hurting. Repeated steroid injections into a ligament are generally avoided because they can weaken it. This is where a treatment aimed at the tissue itself becomes useful.
At RegenOrthoSport
Treatment for ligaments that have not healed
Ultrasound shows the injured ligament clearly, so treatment can be placed exactly where the fibres are damaged.
Partial tears
Ultrasound-guided PRP
Hyper-concentrated platelets (HCP) are injected into the injured part of the MCL, LCL or PCL. It may support healing in partial tears and long-standing sprains.
About PRPComplex injuries
Bone marrow concentrate
Considered for larger or older tears, or when the ligament injury sits alongside cartilage damage.
About BMACStability
Bracing and strengthening
A brace may protect the ligament at first; then strength and balance work restores control of the knee.
PhysiotherapyYour consultation
Assessing your knee ligaments
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The injury
How it happened, and how the knee has behaved since.
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Stress tests
Gentle sideways and front-to-back testing to grade each ligament.
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Ultrasound and MRI
Ultrasound shows the collateral ligaments in real time; MRI shows the cruciates and the rest of the knee.
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Plan
Bracing, injection treatment, rehabilitation, or referral if the injury needs surgical repair.
Patient stories
In our patients’ words
For 4 years, I lived with knee pain from a partial tear—this treatment helped me get back to pain-free movement
Individual results vary. Patient testimonials describe personal experiences and are not a guarantee of outcome for any other patient.
Related
More knee conditions
- Knee pain overview All knee pain conditions and treatment options.
- Knee osteoarthritis Worn cartilage, stiffness and the ache that builds over years.
- Alternatives to knee replacement What to explore before a total or partial knee replacement.
- Meniscus tear Twisting injuries and wear tears of the knee’s shock absorber.
- ACL tear Partial and complete ACL injuries, and when surgery is needed.
- Cartilage damage Focal cartilage defects after injury or long-term wear.
- Chondromalacia patella Pain behind the kneecap on stairs, squats and long sitting.
- PRP therapy How hyper-concentrated platelets (HCP) are prepared and used.
- Sports medicine Assessment and return-to-sport planning for athletes.
Near you
Knee pain treatment in your city
Doctors, address and directions for each of our clinics.
How long does an MCL sprain take to heal?
Mild sprains often settle within weeks; more severe partial tears take longer. If pain persists well beyond the expected time, the ligament should be re-examined.
Does a PCL tear need surgery?
Most isolated PCL injuries are managed without surgery. Surgery is considered when the knee is very unstable or other ligaments are also torn.
Can an old ligament injury still be treated?
Yes. Long-standing partial tears are among the injuries where image-guided treatment may help, provided the ligament is still in continuity.
Consultation request
Get your knee ligament injury assessed
Tell us where it hurts and how it is holding you back. Our team will call you to book a consultation at the clinic nearest to you in Hyderabad, Mumbai or Bangalore.
- Consultation with Dr. Movva
- Review of your history and imaging
- An honest answer on candidacy
Prefer to talk? Call +91 96769 48899 or message us on WhatsApp.
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