Ultrasound-Guided Medial Collateral Ligament

The medial collateral ligament (MCL) which also called tibial collateral ligament (TCL), is one of the four major ligaments of the knee. It is on the medial (inner) side of the knee joint in humans and other primates. Its primary function is to resist outward turning forces on the knee.

When the outer knee is hit very hard, the MCL, which runs along with the inner knee, can stretch out far enough to strain or tear. People who play football, hockey, and other sports where players impact other athletes with great force may injure their MCL this way. They may also stretch or tear your MCL if your knee is suddenly pushed to the side, or if it twists or bends out too far.

Most people feel pain along the inside edge of the knee, and they also have swelling. Patients might hear a pop when the damage to the knee takes place, and the knee may lurch to the side.

Ultrasound may have a role as the initial rapid imaging modality in patients with suspected medial meniscus or MCL tears as it is highly sensitive, and it may serve as an effective screening tool for patients with both acute and chronic knee pain.

For instance, using the USB Linear 5-12MHz Ultrasound Scanner SIFULTRAS-9.53 is highly recommended to our orthopedist clients. It demonstrates the thick hyperechoic filaments of the medial collateral ligament and the bony contours of the medial margins of the femur and tibia.

Its high-quality imaging guides the physician during the assessment and treatment of the MCL. It provides real-time guidance to place the needle tip within proximity to the medial collateral ligament. 

US is a highly useful imaging modality for the assessment of MCL injury. It can be used to assess certain conditions such as occult mass or tumor is suspected as well as to confirm the diagnosis of suspected medial collateral ligament injury.

References: Medial Collateral LigamentUltrasound-Guided Injection Technique for Medial Collateral Ligament

Disclaimer: Although the information we provide is used by different doctors and medical staff to perform their procedures and clinical applications, the information contained in this article is for consideration only. SIFSOF is not responsible neither for the misuse of the device nor for the wrong or random generalizability of the device in all clinical applications or procedures mentioned in our articles. Users must have the proper training and skills to perform the procedure with each ultrasound scanner device.

The products mentioned in this article are only for sale to medical staff (doctors, nurses, certified practitioners, etc.) or to private users assisted by or under the supervision of a medical professional.

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