Question: When Should I Go To An Orthopedist For Knee Pain Acl Mcl?

How do I know if I tore my ACL or MCL?

It can be easy to confuse the two injuries, as both a torn ACL and a torn MCL exhibits similar symptoms, including: swelling, inflammation, extreme pain and possible bruising. The main difference between an ACL tear and an MCL tear is that an ACL tear will have a distinctive popping sound, while an MCL tear will not.

Can you walk with a torn ACL or MCL?

Can you walk with a torn ACL? The short answer is yes. After the pain and swelling subsides and if there is no other injury to your knee, you may be able to walk in straight lines, go up and down stairs and even potentially jog in a straight line.

When should I see an orthopedic for knee pain?

Make an appointment with your doctor if your knee pain was caused by a particularly forceful impact or if it’s accompanied by: Significant swelling. Redness. Tenderness and warmth around the joint.

What is worse ACL or MCL?

Treatment for ACL vs MCL Injuries An ACL tear is more serious than an MCL tear, and may require surgery to repair. Recovery time may be 6 months or more, including rehabilitation. An MCL tear can take around 8 weeks to recover from, but surgery is usually not required.

Can you bend your knee with a torn MCL?

When your MCL is damaged, your knee can over-extend itself, or bend too far in a direction that it’s not supposed to bend. You may heal on your own with basic care, rest, and rehab. But if your injury is severe, you may need to have surgery.

How can you tell the difference between a torn MCL and meniscus?

With a valgus laxity examination, a medial meniscal tear can be differentiated from a grade II or III MCL sprain. The presence of an opening on the joint line means the medial meniscus is torn. A grade I MCL is more difficult to differentiate from a medial meniscal tear.

Will walking on a torn ACL make it worse?

You shouldn’t walk on a torn ACL too soon after you’ve experienced an injury. It might make the injury more painful and cause further damage. If you suspect that you’ve torn your ACL, see a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis of your injury.

Where is ACL pain felt?

You will likely feel pain in the center of your knee during an ACL tear. Because the MCL is located on the side of your knee, the pain and swelling will be located on the inside of the knee structure rather than the middle.

Can you straighten your leg with a torn MCL?

This is the sound of the MCL tearing. A person is likely to notice swelling in the area, which may not happen immediately. Swelling can spread to other areas of the knee joint in the days following the injury. The knee may feel stiff, and a person may have difficulty straightening their leg or bending their knee.

What does arthritis in the knee feel like?

A knee joint affected by arthritis may be painful and inflamed. Generally, the pain develops gradually over time, although sudden onset is also possible. There are other symptoms, as well: The joint may become stiff and swollen, making it difficult to bend and straighten the knee.

What will an orthopedic doctor do for knee pain?

When you see an orthopedic surgeon, you will likely undergo a thorough evaluation that includes diagnostic imaging, such as an X-ray or MRI. The doctor will then prescribe the least-invasive treatment that will work to heal your injury or relieve your knee pain.

What are the symptoms of a torn tendon in the knee?

What are the symptoms of a kneecap (patella) tendon tear?

• A tearing or popping sensation.
• Swelling and inflammation.
• Tenderness and bruising.
• Upwards movement of the kneecap towards the thigh.
• The knee giving way when you walk.

Can MCL heal itself?

Most MCL injuries will heal on their own after a few weeks of rest.

How long is recovery from MCL surgery?

After surgery, you’ll use crutches and a knee brace for about six weeks. At a post-op visit one to two weeks after surgery, your doctor will check your knee and remove the stitches. Recovery time depends on any related knee injuries but is generally between nine and 12 months.

How long is recovery from ACL and MCL?

ACL Surgery Recovery Time If your surgery was successful with no complications and you plan to follow the rehabilitation recommendations of your orthopedic surgeon to the letter, the best guess is no less than six months. For some, it can take up to two years to get back to 100%.