Oh one other weird thing I learned not during that recovery but another when I had an MCL strain and lower back strain at the same time - excruciating pain - that took about 8 weeks recovery.
Hydration. Drinking enough H2O speeds muscle recovery and aids in stretching and exercising the muscle and ligaments.
I saw a remarkable difference in pain, recovery, and ability to stretch and exercise with proper hydration. I found it due to a 2 week period where I was slightly dehydrated, and it sucked a lot.