Medial Collateral Ligament Injury of the Knee: A Review on Current Concept and Management

The medial collateral ligament (MCL) is a major stabilizer of the knee joint, providing support against rotatory and valgus forces; moreover, it is the most common ligament injured during knee trauma. The MCL injury results in valgus instability of the knee and makes the patient susceptible to degenerative knee osteoarthritis. Although it has been nearly a dogma to manage MCL injury nonoperatively, recent literature has suggested operative MCL management as a suitable option for specific patient populations. The present review aimed to assess the current literature on the management of MCL injuries of the knee. In this regard, we go over the anatomy, physical examination, and MCL imaging.