{"id":7652,"date":"2019-06-28T07:08:24","date_gmt":"2019-06-28T07:08:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=7652"},"modified":"2021-04-19T14:23:42","modified_gmt":"2021-04-19T14:23:42","slug":"15-tips-to-speed-up-mcl-sprain-recovery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/15-tips-to-speed-up-mcl-sprain-recovery\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Tips to Speed Up MCL Sprain Recovery"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The medial collateral ligament or MCL is a band of tissue that is located on the side of the inner knee. It connects your thigh bone and shin to help to keep you stable and move properly. The MCL can become injured when another player collides with another player and the knee is impacted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some sports that this injury can occur are in are football and hockey. Any sport where there is direct contact, an MCL injury can occur. The injury occurs because your knee is overextended or bends in a direction too far that it\u2019s not supposed to. It will become difficult to walk because the pain will be felt when pressure is placed on the knee. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the injury occurs, you want to take steps to heal the injury, so that you can go back to playing your chosen sport. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are eight tips to speed up an MCL sprain recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Icing the MCL sprain will help to speed up recovery time. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The ice will reduce swelling<\/a>, pain, and inflammation. Crush some ice and place it in a clean dishcloth. Place the dishcloth with ice on the MCL sprain for 15 to 20 minutes. Do this every hour for as long as it\u2019s needed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An ice pack can be used as well if you don\u2019t want to use crushed ice. When using an ice pack, make sure to put a towel or dishcloth in the sprain first, so that the ice pack isn\u2019t directly on the skin. You don\u2019t want to get frostbite. You don\u2019t want to use heat therapy when you have a sprain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ligaments need ice, not heat. The muscles would need heat, but your muscles aren\u2019t affected in this situation. It is a good idea to be in a warm area when icing because after you take the ice off of your knee, you will feel cold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Elevating the knee will help with the recovery of the MCL sprain. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Place a few pillows under your knee at a 45-degree angle and let it stay there as long as possible. Even when you\u2019re at work or school, it is a good idea to keep the MCL sprain elevated. It will reduce swelling in the knee by doing so. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When icing the knee, it is a good idea to elevate it as well. Some doctors may recommend elevating it as high as up to your heart, but that\u2019s impossible when you\u2019re at home or anywhere. The only place you could have your knee-high is if you have a bed with a canopy and you could fix it where you could elevate your leg high. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It may be uncomfortable also. You want to be comfortable when you are dealing with an MCL sprain<\/a>. It could cause more pain if it\u2019s too high.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Compress the knee with elastic bandages. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Compressing the knee will help reduce the swelling. The elastic bandage doesn\u2019t need to be wrapped around tightly because it will cause your blood to not be able to flow freely. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If it\u2019s too tight also, it will cause pain and more swelling. You should check the elastic bandage often to see if the swelling has gone down. You can also touch it to see if it\u2019s gone down. Once the swelling goes away, you can cease using the elastic bandage. Even if the pain is still there, you can treat the pain with other methods. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Compressing will help with pain, but it is mainly to reduce the swelling. A swollen knee is unsightly and if it\u2019s not bandaged, it can cause you to want to pick at it, which could cause an infection<\/a>. It will take much longer for your MCL sprain to heal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs will speed up the healing process of an MCL sprain. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory<\/a> drugs, include aspirin, Ibuprofen, Tylenol, and Aleve. These drugs help with pain and swelling. They should only be taken as directed. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should be taken with a full glass of water and food. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They work better when they go into the body and they lay on something. When pain occurs, just take as directed. Don\u2019t take more than what is prescribed because it can cause you to have side effects. The pain and swelling may increase along with other issues you could have with your body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to over-the-counter medications, it is recommended to take them for a short period of time, unless directed by your doctor. If your doctor says it\u2019s okay for you to take the medication longer, then do so. You don\u2019t need to suffer in pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Physical therapy will help speed up MCL sprain recovery. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At physical therapy<\/a>, you will do gentle exercises that will strengthen the muscles around the knee, so you can regain your stability. The exercises that you do at the office can be done at home as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The more you exercise your knee, the faster your MCL sprain will heal. A few exercises that you can do are a hamstring curl, wall slide, and chair squat. These exercises will strengthen your knees, but your quads as well. Each exercise needs to be held for 30 seconds and repeat 10 times. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take your time when doing these exercises. There is no need to rush. Your knee won\u2019t heal any faster by trying to speed race when doing the exercises. When doing these exercises, use a chair or wall to hold onto since you won\u2019t be able to balance yourself too well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Using crutches will help speed up MCL sprain recovery. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

By using crutches, you don\u2019t have to put any weight on the knee that is affected. The more you stay off of the leg it will heal faster. When you use crutches<\/a>, you have to take your time. You can rush or you\u2019ll fall down. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may want to wear a brace while using crutches to protect your knee even more. The brace will help to keep you from bending your knee too much. Crutches have a tendency to cause you to bend your knee when using them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you\u2019re not using the crutches, elevate your leg. Your leg should always be in an up position. It should never touch the ground. You will feel pain if it touches the ground since your knee is not stable. If you do try to walk on it, your knee will give out and you could fall on your other knee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Massaging the MCL sprain recovery will speed up the process. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Massage <\/a>the knee with peppermint or tea tree oil. Essential oils need to be diluted with a carrier oil since they are potent. A carrier oil you could use is castor oil. Apply a few drops of essential oils with the oil of your choice or castor oil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pour it into your hands to rub together to get it warm. Apply to your knee and massage gently for two to three minutes. Massage the area twice a day. This will help with swelling and inflammation. Peppermint and tea tree oil have anti-inflammatory properties. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The peppermint oil has a cooling sensation, so that will be good for your knee because anything cold against your sprain will help it heal. There is no need to wrap the knee after massaging it unless it is swollen. You have to be careful when massaging the knee when it\u2019s swollen because it will be painful to touch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Epsom or table salt will speed up MCL sprain recovery. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you use a table or Epsom salt<\/a>, use it with cold water. The cold water helps to reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation. It can be used in a bath or compress. Either way, it will do its job. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When using it in a bath, it can be done a couple of times a day since you have to get in and out of the tub. It can be difficult to get in and out of the tub. When used with a cold compress, it can be done as many times a day as you want to. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Place the cold compress against the knee for 10 to 15 minutes at a time. There may be a little stinging in the knee when the salt touches the skin, but that\u2019s just letting you know that it\u2019s working. On the other hand, you may not feel anything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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