MCL Reconstruction Surgery
Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) Reconstruction Surgeon
Are you an athlete who participates in contact sports? If so, you may be at risk of sustaining an MCL injury. The MCL can sustain an injury during certain twisting movements, direct contact to the outside of the knee, external rotation or combined force impacts when knee flexion is present. MCL reconstruction surgeon, Dr. Nikhil Verma provides diagnosis and both surgical and nonsurgical treatment options for patients in Chicago who have an MCL injury. Contact Dr. Verma’s team today!
An Overview on Medial Collateral Ligament Reconstruction
(MCL Reconstruction)
The medial collateral ligament (MCL) is one of the main ligaments in the knee and travels from the femur (thigh bone) to the top of the tibia (shin bone) and resides on the internal part of the knee joint. MCL injuries account for approximately 24 percent of all knee injuries and lead to pain, swelling and knee instability. The MCL is critical to knee stability so when it sustains a tear during a sports injury or during a fall, patients can experience a variety of troublesome symptoms. Unlike the ACL, the MCL is able to heal on its own after injury, however, some tears may be so severe that they require surgery to repair or reconstruct the torn MCL. Dr. Nikhil Verma, knee surgeon treating patients in the Chicago, Westchester, Oak Brook and Hinsdale, Illinois area, specializes in a number of knee treatments, including management of MCL injuries and MCL reconstruction.
An MCL injury is generally seen during sports activities when there is contact to the outside of the knee or excessive rotation of the joint. The ligament may be injured in isolation or part of a multi-ligament knee injury. In the majority of cases, an MCL tear can heal on its own with non-operative treatment. In cases where a complete tear with instability is present, an MCL surgery may be recommended to restore stability and function to the knee joint.
Before performing an MCL reconstruction, Dr. Verma will perform a thorough physical examination of the joint and will examine X-rays and an MRI to determine the extent, location and pattern of the ligament injury. In most cases, a conservative approach is undertaken including bracing, short term use of crutches, and physical therapy to gradually regain motion, strength and function. Patients with low grade injuries can often return to sports activities within two weeks, while those with higher grade injuries may require eight to twelve weeks for full recovery.
If surgery is necessary, he will discuss the torn MCL surgery, either MCL augmentation or MCL reconstruction, in detail with the patient. An augmentation procedure involves repairing the torn ligament with sutures and at times using one of the patient’s hamstring tendons to reinforce the repair. An MCL reconstruction is reserved for patients with a severe or long-standing ligament tear. A reconstruction procedure utilizes either a donor graft or a hamstring graft harvested from the patient. During this MCL surgery technique, the graft is placed in the exact location to replace the torn ligament with new tissue. The graft is then secured with anchors and/or screws placed into the bone that contain strong sutures. Both torn MCL surgery techniques are highly effective at repairing the damaged area and restoring knee stability.
Recovery and Rehabilitation after MCL Reconstruction
Protection of the knee joint and graft is crucial following a torn MCL surgery. Crutches with protected weight bearing in a brace is commonly recommended up to six weeks. Dr. Verma will prescribe a detailed rehabilitation program all patients are expected to begin immediately following surgery. A patient’s progression through the program will depend on the injury extent, MCL surgery performed and the patient’s overall health. The majority of patients can expect a return to activities within six months.
For additional information on MCL knee injuries, or to learn more about MCL reconstruction surgery, please contact the office of Dr. Nikhil Verma, orthopedic knee surgeon serving the Chicago, Westchester, Oak Brook and Hinsdale, Illinois
