Medial collateral ligament sprains range in degrees of severity from 1 to 3, with 3 being the worst (a complete tear of the ligament). The majority of MCL injuries are grade 1 and 2, and are generally treated non-surgically.

These injuries are common is sports such as downhill skiing and hockey, as are ACL tears. It occurs when there is a valgus load to the knee, which is when the force is coming from the outside and the ligament on the inside gets stretched or twisted.

Symptoms of a medial collateral ligament sprain include pain along the medial side of your knee, swelling and stiffness. You should see your family doctor if these symptoms are more significant.

The best initial treatment is with the RICE protocol (rest, ice, compression and elevation) and anti-inflammatories. On average, it takes six weeks for an MCL injury to heal.

MCL reconstruction surgery is rarely required, but if it is it’s typically done through a small incision on the inside of the knee. It cannot be done arthroscopically, as the medial collateral ligament is not inside the knee joint.