MCL Tear Treatment in San Jose

Every step can feel sharp, unstable, or uncertain when your MCL is injured. Even turning, pivoting, or getting up from a chair can send sharp jolts through your knee. 

At Resilience Orthopedics in San Jose, Dr. Pamela Mehta offers expert care to restore movement and knee stability.

What is an MCL Tear?

An MCL tear is an injury to the medial collateral ligament (MCL), a strong band of tissue that runs along the inner side of your knee. This ligament helps keep your knee stable. Because the MCL is a ligament, an injury here is often described as a knee sprain (ranging from a mild stretch to a tear).

When it’s injured, you may notice: 

• Pain
• Swelling
• A feeling that your knee might give way

MCL tears can range from a mild stretch to a complete tear. While they’re most common in athletes, they can happen to anyone, especially if you’ve had knee problems in the past.

What Causes an MCL Tear?

An MCL tear usually happens when a force pushes the knee inward. These injuries fall into two categories: sudden trauma or gradual wear and tear over time.

Sudden Injuries

Sudden injuries are the most common cause of MCL tears. They often occur during activities that involve quick movements, twisting, or direct impact.

Common examples include:

• Sports collisions, such as a blow to the outside of the knee that forces it inward
• Awkward twists, like changing direction quickly while your foot is planted
• Falls or accidents, including landing poorly from a height or misstepping and twisting the knee

Gradual Wear and Tear

Over time, repeated stress can weaken the MCL and make it vulnerable to injury. This type of wear and tear may develop due to:

• Overuse from sports or physical work, such as running, heavy lifting, or frequent kneeling and squatting
• Age-related changes that affect ligament strength
• Knee instability, especially after a previous ligament injury like an ACL or MCL tear

What Are the Signs I Should See a Specialist?

When your MCL is overstretched or torn, you may experience:

• Pain along the inside of your knee 
• Swelling around your knee
• A feeling of instability, clicking, or your knee giving way 
• Tenderness when you press along the inner knee joint line
• Difficulty walking or bending your knee

If these symptoms start after a fall, twist, or sports injury, you should have your knee evaluated. 

Severe pain or instability should be checked right away. If symptoms are mild but not improving, schedule a visit within a few days.

A specialist can confirm what’s going on and rule out other injuries, such as a meniscus tear or combined ACL–MCL damage. 

How Do We Diagnose an MCL Tear?

Here’s how we diagnose MCL tears at Resilience Orthopedics: 

Clinical Assessment

Dr. Mehta begins by understanding your injury, symptoms, and how your knee is affecting your everyday activities.

Once she finds the source of your pain, she will perform a physical examination where she will: 

• Feel along your ligament to pinpoint exactly where you’re injured
• Check for swelling 
• Assess how well you can bend and straighten your knee

She’ll gently press your knee to assess it’s stability. She will also check for any abnormal movement on the inner side of the knee to determine the severity of the tear.

Imaging Tests

If an MCL tear is suspected, imaging may be used to confirm the diagnosis. These include:

• MRI scans to assess the extent of the injury and check for damage to nearby structures, such as the ACL or meniscus
• X-rays to rule out fractures or other bone injuries related to trauma

Once the results are ready, Dr. Mehta will review them with you and walk you through your treatment options.  

Treatment Options

Your treatment plan depends on the grade of your tear, knee stability, and your recovery goals. Surgical options like knee replacement are always considered a last resort. 

Dr. Mehta always prioritizes conservative care and minimally invasive treatment options.

Non-Surgical Care (Rest, Physio, and Bracing)

Many MCL tears heal well without surgery. In most cases, we start with non-surgical care to support natural healing. 

This may include: 

• Resting, icing, and elevating your knee to reduce swelling 
• Taking oral medications to reduce pain and inflammation 
• Wearing a supportive knee brace for your MCL tear to limit side-to-side movement and protect the ligament while it heals

Surgery (Repair or Reconstruction)

Surgery is considered only when it’s needed. Dr. Mehta may recommend it if your MCL is torn, your knee remains unstable, or the injury occurred alongside other damage, such as a radial meniscus tear. 

If surgery is needed, she discusses the approach that best supports safe recovery. This may involve repairing the ligament or reconstructing it using a graft.

Rehab and Strengthening

As your MCL heals, scar tissue can develop. Without proper movement and strengthening, your knee may feel stiff or weak. Rehabilitation helps restore your knee movement and strength.

Dr. Mehta works with specialized physical therapists to create a personalized rehabilitation plan. Each plan supports every stage of healing and helps you return to activity safely.

Why Patients Trust Resilience Orthopedics for MCL Tear Care

At Resilience Orthopedics, every MCL tear is treated with the same care and attention as any ligament injury.

Dr. Mehta brings decades of experience treating MCL and ACL injuries. Her approach is thoughtful, personalized, and focused on long-term recovery.

What to Expect

Your MCL care at Resilience Orthopedics includes: 

• A thorough assessment that explains the cause of your pain
• A treatment plan tailored to your injury, knee stability, and lifestyle
• A structured rehabilitation plan with ongoing support
• One-on-one follow-up to support proper healing

Your knee deserves focused, expert care. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Mehta and begin with a treatment plan designed around what matters most to you.