MCL Sprain that won't go away

[parrottj]

I sprained my right MCL (grade 2, 2+) 4 weeks ago. I did not exercise completely for one week, then slowly introduced cycling. Two weeks later I started running. The knee does not feel painful when exercising, but does feel hot and slightly swollen after activity. I had a PT friend give me a valgus/varus stress test and he says that it is still a 2 or 2+. Should I stop exercising? Should I buy a brace and use that? I have duathlon nationals in late April that I am targeting. Should I continue to train through that and then rest again? Any advice would be most appreciated.

Thanks,

Jimmy

[Darren_H]

There may be some lingering instability for quite a while. This does not mean that you have to stop training. I would keep training. Avoid any activity that causes pain to the MCL area (medial joint line). You will need to monitor your swelling in your knee. Use ice after workouts. It should be slowly decreasing over time. Drop your volume firstly but keep the intensity up to maintain your fitness levels. If you sprained the ligament it is not going to heal overnight. Supplement the training with specific strengthening for the knee including balance exercises and working up to plyometrics. This is pretty general but I hope it helps. If you go and see someone that can set you up on a program and monitor your knee.