The aim of MCL Sprain treatment is to reduce pain and inflammation. Treatment methods include the following:
Cold therapy & compression
Immediate first aid is to apply the PRICE principles (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) as soon as possible. Apply ice or a cold therapy wrap for 10 to 15 minutes and repeat every hour. You can reduce the frequency as your symptoms improve.
Do not apply ice directly to the skin because it may cause ice burns. Instead, use a wet tea towel or even better, a commercially available cold therapy wrap. These are more convenient to use and will apply compression to your knee as well.
Rest
You should rest from training or any activities which are painful. This is important to allow healing to take place. If you continue to train or do any activity which causes pain, this will only prevent healing and prolong your recovery.
Wear a knee brace
Wear a compression bandage or knee support to help reduce any swelling and protect your joints. This is particularly important in the early stages.
Later, a hinged knee brace is best, particularly for grade 2 and 3 injuries. These have solid metal supports down the sides to prevent sideways movement of the joint.
More severe grade 2 and full grade 3 injuries may require a limited motion-hinged knee brace. These enable you to restrict the amount of bend in your knee joint.
Electrotherapy
A professional therapist may use electrotherapy treatments such as Ultrasound to help control swelling and pain. Ultrasound works by sending high-frequency sound waves into the tissues. This results in a micro-massage effect and helps to reduce swelling.
MCL sprain taping
Taping your knee joint can also provide a high level of support and protection. Sports taping is useful in the early stages, as well as later on when you return to full training.
Sports massage
You should avoid massage to the injured ligament in the early, acute stage. Later, however, as your ligament starts to heel, a light cross-friction massage may help. It is particularly useful if you have persistent pain during the later stages of rehabilitation.
