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20 years
What are the effects of losing a ligament at the medial side of the knee?
Aug 14, 2014

Dr. Tarek Gherbal Physical Therapist
The Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) stabilizes the knee in the lateral plane.
Damaging your MCL, generally after a certain trauma, could result in the ligament getting over-stretched, partially torn or completely torn.
In the acute phase (after the trauma), symptoms might include: pain, swelling, limited mobility and inability to bear your weight comfortably.
Long term consequence of a damaged MCL: unstable knee, high risk of damaging other ligaments.

If you're experiencing any of the following:
- your knee won't straighten out
- your knee is giving way to the inside when you step on it
- heard a popping sound followed by swelling (in 24 hours lapse of time)
Consult with an Orthopedic surgeon, they might request a MRI
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