http://www.healthcentral.com/ency/408/001076.html
http://www.emedicine.com/sports/topic73.htmMedial collateral ligament (MCL) injuries of the knee are very common sports-related injuries. The MCL is the most commonly injured knee ligament. Injuries to the MCL occur in almost all sports and in all age groups.
Other structures within the knee may be injured in association with the MCL. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is injured in approximately 20% of grade 1 injuries and as many as 78% of grade 3 injuries.
The medial meniscus is injured 5-25% of the time; the incidence increases with severity of the MCL injury.
Contact injuries involve a direct valgus [inward] load to the knee. This is the usual mechanism in a complete tear.
Noncontact, or indirect, injuries are observed with deceleration, cutting, and pivoting motions. These mechanisms tend to cause partial tears.
Grade 1 and 2 sprains are routinely treated nonoperatively. They may be braced with a knee sleeve or a double-upright hinged knee orthosis, individualized to the patient's discomfort. Crutches are only necessary for a few days. These injuries represent incomplete tears and allow for a rapid return to activities.
Historically, grade 3 tears were treated operatively but currently are routinely treated nonoperatively. In the past, nonoperative treatment meant a long leg cast. Currently, bracing with a hinged knee orthosis is common. Some authors recommend immediate braced increase in range of motion (ROM), while others prefer waiting up to 6 weeks with the knee at 30° of flexion. Crutches are usually necessary for 1-2 weeks.
Return to play is allowed when sport-specific agility testing is performed comfortably. People with grade 1 and 2 injuries usually return to play within 2-3 weeks. People with grade 3 injuries frequently require 6 or more weeks before a return to play.
Long-term outcome studies have shown that almost all patients with grade 1 and 2 injuries have returned to full preinjury activities by 3 months. Isolated grade 3 injuries still allow excellent return to preactivity levels by 6-9 months.
Patients with grade 1 and 2 injuries consistently recover well, and athletes return to play early. Patients with isolated grade 3 injuries also consistently return to full preinjury level, but recovery takes longer.
So, to sum up: Prognosis looks very good for our boys, considering most/all of them suffered relatively minor (grade I/II) sprains, and no tears. They should all be back to 100% by fall. It will be very important for them to be careful with their rehab, though, because if they don't heal sufficiently, they will be at much higher risk for not only re-injuring the MCL, but also for injuring the ACL and medial meniscus ("terrible triad").
