The medial collateral ligament runs from your thighbone and shinbone, according to KidsHealth. This important ligament helps to prevent your knee from extending too far from side to side as you perform daily activities. For this reason, the MCL is required for stability -- and an injury to this area can result in pain and reduction in leg function.
Causes
Injuries to the MCL occur when one person collides with another or when you place too much stress on the ligament via a quick turn or stop, according to the University of California, San Francisco. For this reason, athletes who play soccer, football or basketball or who ski are all linked with increased risk of MCL injury. The MCL also can weaken over time, which can result in injury with even simple movements. You can identify injury to the MCL if you experience the feeling that the knee is "catching" or locking into place.
Stretching
A proper warm-up and cool-down before engaging in aerobic activities can help to prevent MCL injury. These help to prepare your ligaments and muscles for activity, reducing the chance a ligament will be "shocked" with sudden motion, according to the Stretching Institute. Warm up by engaging in light aerobic activity for three to five minutes before beginning exercise. Cooling down by stretching the leg muscles around the knee also can ensure the MCL does not tighten before your next activity.
Safety Education
Learning the proper way to fall or change foot positions can help to prevent MCL injury, according to the University of Washington. For example, skiers should fall forward or to the side, not backwards, if a fall takes place. This places less stress on the knee joints. The same is true for other sports, such as football, basketball and soccer. Players should also practice safety precautions when tackling others.
Rest
Because the MCL ligament can stretch and wear out over time, it's important to rest after strenuous activity, according to the Stretching Institute. This helps the ligament recover after strenuous exercise. Alternating low-impact activities with high-impact ones can help to reduce strain on the knee. Examples include swimming, according to KidsHealth.
Strengthening
Strong muscles surrounding the knee joint and ligaments can help to shoulder some of the burden placed on the body. In the instance of the MCL, strong quadriceps muscles can help to reduce risk of injury, according to the Stretching Institute. These four major muscles are located above the knee and are used in running. Strengthening them through lunges, squats and other activities can help to prevent possible MCL injuries.
