So, update:
my MCL is actually healing nicely, but I've been protecting the knee so much that other areas (quads, hamstrings near the knee) are tight and that's where a lot of the pain is coming from. Also my hip flexors have been overworked, and that's been torquing my lower back as well. Yesterday at PT they had to take a step back and focus on those other areas, and though it was extremely painful afterwards I was able to walk more easily. I got a stern lecture about working on flexing and extending correctly while walking, and that if I didn't I would eventually develop a cyst on my patella that would need to be surgically removed.
Sleeping last night was a little easier, and I'm walking more correctly (heel strike, leg fully extended) though very slowly.
I still have have some other issues to resolve, not sure how much is related to the knee situation vs just bad coincidence.
my MCL is actually healing nicely, but I've been protecting the knee so much that other areas (quads, hamstrings near the knee) are tight and that's where a lot of the pain is coming from. Also my hip flexors have been overworked, and that's been torquing my lower back as well. Yesterday at PT they had to take a step back and focus on those other areas, and though it was extremely painful afterwards I was able to walk more easily. I got a stern lecture about working on flexing and extending correctly while walking, and that if I didn't I would eventually develop a cyst on my patella that would need to be surgically removed.
Sleeping last night was a little easier, and I'm walking more correctly (heel strike, leg fully extended) though very slowly.
I still have have some other issues to resolve, not sure how much is related to the knee situation vs just bad coincidence.