Which condition from the MCL healing study resulted in the highest load failure?

The condition that resulted in the highest load failure involved surgical repair combined with 2 weeks of immobilization followed by 6 weeks on a treadmill. This scenario suggests that the combination of early motion, as facilitated by treadmill exercises, may create a greater mechanical stress on the healing medial collateral ligament (MCL).

In the context of ligament healing, early mobilization is generally aimed at preventing stiffness and promoting blood flow to the healing tissue, which is critical for optimal recovery. However, it can also result in increased tensile forces applied to the MCL, especially if the exercise modality (like treadmill use) is not tailored to accommodate the healing tissue during its early phase of recovery.

The balance between immobilization and mobilization is delicate. While limitations in motion can lead to atrophy and stiffness, excessive motion too soon can result in load failures if the repair site has not yet developed the tensile strength necessary to withstand those forces. Therefore, the use of a treadmill introduces dynamic loads that can exceed the current capacity of the healing ligament, leading to failures at a higher load than conditions with more conservative approaches, such as longer immobilization or reduced activity levels.