MCL Surgery
What Is MCL Surgery?
MCL surgery refers to either repairing or reconstructing the medial collateral ligament, the structure that stabilizes the inner side of the knee. Because the MCL has a relatively good blood supply, most tears heal well without surgery — which is why MCL surgery is used selectively, generally for more complex or combined injuries rather than as a routine, first-line treatment.
When Is MCL Surgery Needed?
MCL surgery is typically considered when:
- The MCL is torn along with other knee ligaments, such as the ACL or PCL, in a multi-ligament injury
- A complete tear occurs at a location less likely to heal well on its own, such as where the ligament pulls away from the bone
- Chronic instability persists on the inner side of the knee despite a full course of bracing and physical therapy
- There is a bony avulsion, where the ligament pulls off a fragment of bone rather than tearing through the ligament tissue itself
How Is MCL Surgery Performed?
The specific technique depends on the nature of the injury:
- MCL repair — for acute injuries where the ligament tissue is still in reasonably good condition, the torn ends can sometimes be directly reattached to the bone using suture anchors, particularly for avulsion-type injuries.
- MCL reconstruction — for chronic injuries or cases where the ligament tissue has stretched out and is no longer repairable, a tendon graft is used to reconstruct a new ligament, similar in concept to ACL reconstruction, and secured to the femur and tibia with fixation devices.
When the MCL is injured alongside the ACL or PCL, these ligaments are often addressed together in the same surgery to restore overall knee stability.
Coast your way to recovery
Dr. Palsis utilizes innovative treatment techniques to get you back in motion and back to the life you love.
Recovery After MCL Surgery
Recovery involves carefully balancing early protection of the healing or reconstructed ligament with the need to avoid excessive stiffness:
- A hinged knee brace is typically used early on to protect the repair while allowing controlled motion
- Weight-bearing is usually advanced gradually over the first several weeks
- Physical therapy focuses on regaining motion early, then progresses to strengthening
- Return to full activity, including cutting and pivoting sports, generally takes several months, and longer if the MCL was reconstructed alongside another ligament like the ACL
Get back to what moves you
Dr. Palsis specializes in the treatment of knee, shoulder, and sports injuries.