Knee Brace for Torn Ligaments: How to Treat MCL, ACL, PCL, and LCL Injury

Torn knee ligaments, especially ACL tears, can happen anytime due to sudden twists and overstretching of the anterior cruciate ligament. This makes it difficult for you to perform everyday activities like walking, running, and climbing stairs. According to the National Library of Medicine, around 1 in 3500 people in the US^[1] experience ACL injury in their lifetime, requiring the usage of a knee brace for torn MCL, ACL, and PCL.

Want to know more? This article is your complete guide to knee ligament injuries, their types, and the best knee brace for torn MCL or ACL. Let's dig in!

Types of Knee Ligaments

Knee ligaments are typically a band of tissues responsible for joining your thigh bone in your upper leg to your lower leg bones. They are made of:

• College
• Elastic fibre
• Connective tissues

These ligaments are classified into four categories, each responsible for a specific task.

ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament)

The anterior cruciate ligament connects the inside of the top of your tibia, also known as the shinbone, with the bottom of your knee or thigh bone. This ligament takes on the task of ensuring your shinbone doesn't slip or slide in front of your thigh bone, hence controlling knee rotation.

Injury to the ACL can happen as a result of twisting the leg while applying pressure downward. You'll experience swelling of the knee as well as some instability that will go away either with physical therapy for ACL tear or a brace for ACL tear.

PCL (Posterior Cruciate Ligament)

The next important ligament is PCL or posterior cruciate ligament. Known as the strongest and largest intra-articular ligament in the human knee, it connects the bottom of your thigh bone with the top of your lower leg bone.

It's located inside your knee and is very unlikely to sustain injury. Nonetheless, any damage to the posterior cruciate ligament can happen due to extra stretching, which is called an overextended knee.

MCL (Medial Collateral Ligament)

The medial collateral ligament is also located inside your knee, and it's eight to ten centimeters in length. It connects the top of your shinbone with the bottom of your thigh bone or femur, providing the knee with great stability.

This ligament injury is quite common and accounts for 40% of all knee injuries.^[2] Generally, MCL tears are divided into three grades. Grade 1 means you'll have mild pain and tenderness, and Grade 2 translates to your MCL being partially torn.

You'll feel intense pain and tenderness, and the knee will feel loose when moved by hand. However, Grade 3 is a severe tear in which the MCL is completely torn and requires a knee brace for torn MCL.

LCL (Lateral Collateral Ligament)

The fourth important knee ligament is the Lateral Collateral Ligament. It's a cord-like band on the outside of the knee that attaches the bottom of the thigh bone to the top part of the lower leg bone.

This ligament can also sustain tears, which may cause issues like swelling and bruising. However, with proper rehabilitation and a good knee brace for MCL tears or LCL tears, recovery will be quick and easy.

Causes of Ligament Injuries

Knee ligament injuries are caused by a variety of factors that include:

• Sudden Twists and Turns: Quick turns and changes in direction, especially in games like football, soccer, and basketball, can strain your knee ligaments, leading to tears.
• Direct Impact: A direct blow or hit to any of your knee ligaments, including LCL, PCL, ACL, or MCL, from a collision can result in knee ligament injury.
• Overextension: Extra extension or stretching of ligaments during exercises, jumping, or other recreational activities is another reason for injury to knee ligaments.
• Trauma: Knee ligament tears can also happen as a result of trauma, like car accidents where the knee is exposed to sudden impacts.

Symptoms of Ligament Injuries and How to Diagnose Them

Well, the signs of a torn ACL, MCL, LCL, or PCL can vary depending upon the severity and specific ligament involved, but common signs include:

• Pain: Immediate and severe knee pain on the site of tear
• Swelling: Rapid knee swelling and redness due to internal bleeding and inflammation
• Limited Range of Motion: Difficulty in moving the knee due to pain and swelling
• Popping Sound: Noticeable popping sound that may occur at the exact moment of the injury and is common with Grade 3 sprains
• Tenderness: Sensitivity to touch around the injured area

You may also experience a feeling of looseness, bruising, and inability to put weight on the injured knee, which are the symptoms of knee ligament tear.

Diagnosis of Knee Ligament Injuries

Diagnosing a knee ligament injury and whether you need a knee brace for torn MCL, ACL, PCL, or LCL is a combination of many steps. Let's discuss them!

1. Medical History: The doctor will first examine your knee carefully and ask questions about the circumstances of the injury. You'll also be required to tell the symptoms you are experiencing.
2. Physical Examination: The physical examination involves a doctor assessing the knee and identifying bruises and areas of tenderness. They may also check the range of motion by moving the knee in different directions. In some cases, if the knee is swollen due to internal bleeding, the doctor may use a needle to drain it.
3. Imaging Tests: Next, the doctor will ask you to go through imaging tests such as:
1. X-ray: This will show the tear site, and the doctor may also discover any fractures or infections.
2. MRI: Gives a detailed image of the knee tissues and ligaments, helping doctors understand the extent of the knee ligament tear.

What People Are Vulnerable to Ligament Injuries?

Here are the people who are most vulnerable to knee ligament tears and may require a knee brace for torn MCL:

• Athletes: Individuals who participate in high-impact sports like football, basketball, soccer, skiing, and gymnastics are at a higher risk of knee ligament tear. It's attributed to the quick changes in direction and jumping that put significant pressure on the knee.
• Older People: People older than 40 are also prone to knee ligament tears as their ligaments become elastic, and they suffer from pre-existing conditions like knee arthritis or osteoarthritis.

Treatments for Knee Ligament Injuries

The treatment plans for knee ligament injuries are different for each individual. However, some common things that can help you are:

• Apply ice on the affected knee area to reduce swelling and pain.
• Resting the knee is crucial to allowing the torn ligaments to heal, so rest your knee for at least 6 weeks before going back to regular activities.
• Use doctor-recommended anti-inflammatory tablets like ibuprofen to ease the pain.
• Utilize a knee brace for torn MCL or ACL, as it provides your knee with support and stability. The Fivali knee brace, like the Fivali Running Compression Knee Brace with Patella Gel Pad and Side Stabilizers, is an incredible option in this situation. It's a stretchy compression knee brace for torn MCL with spring knee support technology that quickly helps heal your ligament tear.

If the tear is severe, these general treatment tips may not work, and you may have to undergo surgery. So, always consult your doctor and follow the treatment that works best for your injury.

Knee ligament tears can be painful if not taken care of properly. Therefore, when you fall victim to a ligament tear, quickly get a top-notch knee brace for torn MCL and ACL to give your knee the desired support. Fivali Fitness offers a range of high-quality knee braces designed to aid in recovery. Contact us today to find the perfect knee brace for your needs and start your journey to healing!