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Contents
  • MCL Injury Prevalence
  • Sports and MCL Injuries
  • Gender and Other Risk Factors
  • Associated Injuries

How Common Are MCL Injuries and Who's at Risk?

How Common Are MCL Injuries and Who's at Risk?

The Big Picture

Medial collateral ligament (MCL) injuries are a frequent concern for athletes, especially in sports with sudden direction changes. Understanding the incidence and risk factors can help in prevention and management.
Contents
  • MCL Injury Prevalence
  • Sports and MCL Injuries
  • Gender and Other Risk Factors
  • Associated Injuries

MCL Injury Prevalence

MCL injuries are among the most common knee injuries, accounting for a significant portion of all ligament injuries. A study involving over 19,000 knee injuries showed that MCL tears made up 7.9% of the cases. Despite declining numbers in some studies, these injuries remain prevalent due to underreporting of minor cases.

Sports and MCL Injuries

Certain sports, such as soccer, basketball, and contact sports like rugby and American football, see higher rates of MCL injuries. High school and college football players particularly experience these injuries frequently. The annual incidence among high school football players is notably high, reflecting the intense physical demands of the sport.
MCL injuries are prevalent knee injuries often seen in athletes, particularly those involved in sports requiring sudden direction changes. These injuries represent a significant portion of ligament injuries.

Gender and Other Risk Factors

Some studies suggest that females may be at higher risk for MCL injuries, especially in sports like soccer. Other risk factors include previous injuries, the level of play, and game versus practice situations. While equipment and surface interactions have been proposed as risks, definitive data is lacking.

Associated Injuries

MCL injuries often occur with other knee injuries, especially in more severe cases. Up to 78% of Grade III MCL tears are linked with additional injuries, such as ACL tears. These injuries can complicate treatment and recovery timelines.

FAQs

What is the most common knee injury?

MCL injuries are one of the most common knee injuries.

Are MCL injuries common in soccer?

Yes, soccer players often experience MCL injuries due to the sport's physical demands.

Do females have higher MCL injury risks?

Some studies suggest females may have higher risks, but results vary.

What increases MCL injury risk?

Previous injuries, high-intensity sports, and sometimes gender can increase risk.

Do MCL injuries occur alone?

Often, they occur with other injuries, especially severe MCL tears.

Key Takeaways

MCL injuries are common in sports and can be influenced by various risk factors.
Curious about your MCL injury risk? Chat with Doctronic to learn more.
Additional References
  1. Louw QA, Manilall J, Grimmer KA. Epidemiology of knee injuries among adolescents: a systematic review. Br J Sports Med 2008; 42:2.
  2. Majewski M, Susanne H, Klaus S. Epidemiology of athletic knee injuries: A 10-year study. Knee 2006; 13:184.
  3. Rothenberg P, Grau L, Kaplan L, Baraga MG. Knee Injuries in American Football: An Epidemiological Review. Am J Orthop (Belle Mead NJ) 2016; 45:368.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic.