Mcl damage is not healing

[mrlatham]

Around 12 weeks ago i damaged my mcl playing football. I was caught heavily on the outside of my right knee just as my weight came down on it whilst running. I couldn't stand on it for around half an hour and after that my knee swelled up on the inside and i was unable to bend the joint. Over the next 6-8 weeks the knee improved till i could walk normally and suffered no pain when under sideways pressure or turning but every now and again i get a sharp pain below my kneecap on the front of my leg when my leg locks whilst walking, sometimes quite bad and is followed by discomfort afterwards. In fact this has gotten worse recently.
I no longer play football, run or cycle but i have done a little a swimming and use the gym regularly and am in very good condition otherwise.
Has anybody else suffered this or can offer any advice?
Thanks.

[Heidi]

Hi

Did you get your knee checked out by anyone following the injury?

If it was an MCL injury which sounds likely from the tackle and symptoms, it is common for these injuries to be accompanied by medial meniscus damage too. This is the cartilage within the knee joint. This would explain the feeling of the knee locking.

I think you need to visit a sports injury specialist to find out if this is the case. There is a couple of simple tests they can do and if these are inconclusive they can send you for an MRI. Initially a rehab programme will probably be prescribed, although if this fails, and depending on the size of the tear, surgery may be required.

You can find out more here:

http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/front/knee/medialmeniscus.htm

[mrlatham]

Thanks Heidi, i will get it checked out.