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Medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury of the knee - Overview

Alternative Names

Knee injury - medial collateral ligament (MCL); MCL injury

Definition of Medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury of the knee:

Medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury is a stretch, partial tear, or complete tear of the ligament on the inside of the knee.

Considerations:

The medial collateral ligament (MCL) extends from the upper-inside surface of the shin bone to the bottom-inside surface of the thigh bone. The ligament stabilizes the joint on the inside of the knee.

Causes:

The MCL is usually injured by pressure placed on the knee joint from the outside.

It is often injured at the same time as an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

Medial collateral ligament pain

Medial collateral ligament injury

Medial collateral ligament

Torn medial collateral ligament

Reviewed last on: 5/12/2008
Thomas N. Joseph, MD, Private Practice specializing in Orthopaedics, subspecialty Foot and Ankle, Camden Bone & Joint, Camden, SC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.