Non-Operative — Grade 2 MCL Sprain (Non-Operative)

University of Delaware Physical Therapy · UDPT Clinical Team

Weight-Bearing

WBAT week 1; FWB week 2+; hinged brace locked at 30° weeks 1-2

Key Restrictions

Brace locked at 30° weeks 1-2; ROM 0-90° week 1, 0-110° week 2, full ROM week 3+; NMES if quad MVIC < 80%; no single-leg perturbation until week 3; return to sport: strength > 90%, agility at 100%, unilateral hopping without pain

Timeline & Phases

Week 1 (WBAT, brace locked 30°, ROM 0-90°), Week 2 (WBAT/FWB, brace locked 30°, ROM 0-110°), Week 3 (FWB, full ROM), Week 4 (perturbation, agility 75-100%, return to sport); 8-10 visits total

Notes

University of Delaware PT Clinic; non-operative; isolated Grade 2 MCL sprain (no ACL/PCL/meniscus); hinged brace locked at 30° for first 2 weeks to protect healing; stationary bike for ROM begun week 2; return to sport functional test: agility drills at 100%, unilateral hopping, strength > 90%

Surgeon / Author

UDPT Clinical Team