The MCL is one of the major knee ligaments; it connects the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone) on the inner side of the knee. It prevents the knee from bending inward toward the other knee. It is injured when the knee is hit on the outer side of the leg or if the knee is twisted violently. The MCL can overstretch resulting in a partial or complete tear. Healing times vary from a couple of weeks to a couple of months, depending on the severity of the injury. An MCL injury leads to pain, tenderness, swelling and bruising on the inner side of the knee, knee stiffness, and an unstable feeling in the knee. Pain increases with walking, sitting down, rising from a seated position or climbing stairs.
The Physical Therapists at Apple Physical Therapy will design a personalized treatment plan specific to you and your injury that will include range of motion, stretching and strengthening exercises to improve mobility and strength in your knee, leg and core musculature to allow you to return to normal daily activity. We will incorporate gait training and balance activities to allow you to return to normal and safe walking and the use of stairs. We will include manual therapy techniques such as massage and stretching of the knee and surrounding muscles to restore normal motion of the knee and leg and to facilitate healing. When appropriate we will incorporate sport specific activity such as running, cutting, jumping and other activity specific to your sport. If necessary, your PT may elect to use modalities such as ice, heat, ultrasound and/or electric stimulation to decrease swelling, pain and ready the body for exercise.
With convenient locations in both Cherry Hill NJ and Marlton NJ, Apple Physical Therapy proudly serves such areas as Cherry Hill, Marlton, Medford, Voorhees, Mount Laurel, Maple Shade, Berlin, Moorestown and all of South Jersey’s Camden and Burlington counties. If you are looking for a Physical Therapist in the Cherry Hill area, we welcome you to our practice. Meet our team and schedule your appointment with us today!