Duration 4 weeks. Aims to control swelling, maintain ability to straighten the leg bend the knee to more than 90 degrees, begin strengthening exercises.
Rest from all painful activities. Use crutches if necessary, non weight bearing to start with, then partial weight bearing from week 2 and by end of week 4 aim to be walking normally.
Wear a hinged or stabilised knee brace to protect the medial ligament. Apply cold therapy and compression. Apply ice / cold therapy for 15 minutes every 2 hours for the first 2 days and gradually reduce the frequency to 3 times a day over the next week. Pain free stretches for the hamstrings, quads, groin and calf muscles in particular. Mobility exercises should be done in the knee brace.
Sports massage (gentle cross frictions) may be possible from day 2 but allow a week for more severe injuries. As pain allows, static quads and hamstring exercises, double leg calf raises, hip abduction and extension. Knee extension mobility should only be to 30 degrees though. Maintain aerobic fitness on stationary cycle as soon as pain allows.