Injuries to the medial collateral ligament in your knee often occur when the outside of your knee is hit while bent, according to doctors at the Sports Injury Clinic. The MCL helps connect your shin bone to the large bone in your thigh. MCL injuries often require surgical repair, but regardless of the treatment, your physician is likely to prescribe rehabilitative exercise. Never begin any therapeutic exercise program without first consulting your doctor.
Knee Extensions
Lie on your back on a table or the floor with your non-injured leg fully straight and your injured leg bent as far as possible without severe pain. Straighten as much as possible and then return your knee to the bent position. Doctors at PhysioAdvisor recommend 20 repetitions of this exercise, or as prescribed by your doctor.
Quad Contractions
This exercise is designed to help maintain the tone and strength necessary to fully straighten your knee following your MCL injury, according to Dr. Eric Berkson of Massachusetts General Hospital. Sit on the floor or a table with both legs fully extended and your feet slightly apart. Tighten the muscles on the top of your injured thigh to press the back of your injured knee into the table. Berkson recommends holding for about five seconds and repeating 20 repetitions four times daily, or as recommended by your doctor.
Heel Slides
These help with the ability to fully bend your knee following an MCL injury, Berkson says. Lie on your back and slide the heel of your injured leg toward your buttocks to bend the knee as far as possible. Berkson recommends holding for about five seconds before returning to the starting position with both knees straight. Repeat for 20 repetitions three times a day, Berkson says.
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