Knee - Arthroscopy and Sport Injury Specialist in Mumbai

MCL Tear Repair and Reconstruction

Dr. Aditya Pawaskar is one of top notch knee arthroscopy surgeon and Sports Injuries Specialist in Mumbai. With his extensive experience in orthopedics, he provides excellent care and effective treatments for patients with shoulder and knee problems.

A Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) tear is a common knee injury that involves damage to the ligament on the inner side of the knee joint. The MCL provides stability to the knee and helps prevent excessive side-to-side movement. Depending on the severity of the tear, MCL injuries can range from mild sprains to complete tears.

MCL Tear Grading:

MCL tears are often classified into three grades based on their severity:

• Grade I: Mild sprain with minimal ligament damage. The ligament is stretched but not torn.
• Grade II: Partial tear of the ligament fibers. Some fibers are disrupted, causing increased joint instability.
• Grade III: Complete tear of the ligament. The ligament is fully ruptured, leading to significant joint instability.

Surgical Repair and Reconstruction:

Surgery is typically considered for severe MCL tears (Grade III) or cases where the ligament doesn't heal adequately with conservative treatment. Surgical options include repair and reconstruction:

1. Surgical Repair:

Surgical repair involves reattaching the torn ends of the ligament using sutures or other fixation devices. This technique is suitable when the ligament tear is fresh and the torn ends can be brought back together.

2. Surgical Reconstruction:

Surgical reconstruction is performed when the torn ligament cannot be repaired directly. This involves using a graft, often from the patient's own tissue (autograft) or a donor's tissue (allograft), to replace the damaged MCL. Common graft sources include the patellar tendon or hamstring tendons.

Sports Prone to MCL Tear Repair and Reconstruction and Injury Risks:

Sports that involve sudden stops, changes in direction, and physical contact may be associated with a higher risk of Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) tears, requiring repair and reconstruction. In India, the following sports may be associated with a higher incidence of MCL injuries:

• Football (Soccer): The dynamic nature of football, with sudden stops, changes in direction, and physical contact, can contribute to cartilage damage.
• Cricket: Fast bowlers and fielders in cricket may be prone to MCL injuries due to the repetitive, forceful actions involved.
• Rugby: The physicality, tackles, and quick directional changes in rugby may lead to MCL injuries.
• Kabaddi: Frequent tackles and abrupt directional changes in Kabaddi can pose a risk of MCL injuries.
• Wrestling:Wrestling, with its intense physical contact and rapid movements, can contribute to MCL tears.
• Badminton:The lateral movements and sudden accelerations in badminton can pose a risk to the articular cartilage.
• Wrestling: Wrestling, with its intense physical contact and rapid movements, can contribute to cartilage damage.
• Basketball:Jumping, landing, and rapid directional changes in basketball may increase the risk of MCL injuries.
• Hockey: Physical play and the potential for collisions in field hockey can lead to MCL injuries.
• Volleyball: Quick lateral movements and the potential for awkward landings may pose a risk of MCL injuries.
• Athletics (Track and Field):Events involving sudden stops, changes in direction, or collisions may contribute to MCL tears.

Consult with Dr. Aditya Pawaskar, a Sports Medicine Specialist in Mumbai, to determine the most appropriate treatment for Knee & shoulder injuries based on individual cases and the latest medical advancements.