Current Clinical Approaches to Acute Medial Collateral Ligament Injuries

Purpose of Review: Medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury in the knee is common in athletes. Updated knowledge of the subject is important. This paper reviews the literature over the past 10 years regarding MCL diagnosis, management, and return to play (RTP). Recent Findings: The recent literature focuses on the role of ultrasound in the diagnosis of MCL injuries, the use of orthobiologics for acute MCL injury management, and better characterization of timing for RTP. Summary: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), in the hands of an experienced individual, is a reasonable alternative if magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is not easily available because it is cost efficient, easy to use, safe, and accurate. Studies and case reports on orthobiologic injections for acute MCL injuries have mixed results requiring more research before being implemented as standard treatment. General expectations for RTP in athletes with an isolated MCL injury for grade I are 1 to 2 weeks and for grade II is 3 to 4 weeks.