Knee Pain Treatment Overview
In treating different types of knee pain, a common goal is to break the inflammatory cycle and this inflammation starts with an injury. After an injury, substances that cause inflammation invade the knee, which causes further injury, which leads to further inflammation, and so on. This inflammatory cycle leads to continued or progressive knee pain. The cycle can be broken by controlling the substances that cause inflammation, and by limiting further injury to tissue.
Some of the common home treatment that control inflammation and help to break the cycle are protection, rest, ice, compression and elevation but this regimen is summarized by the memory device PRICE.
1. Protection. Protect the knee from further trauma. Of course, this method can be done with knee padding. You can use a pad over the kneecap for it helps to control the symptoms of some knee injuries by preventing further repetitive injury to the prepatellar bursae.
2. Rest. Rest certainly reduces the repetitive strain placed on the knee by activity. Rest both gives the knee time to heal and helps to prevent further injury. Also you have to stop, change, or take a break from any activity that may be causing your pain or soreness and when resting, place a small pillow under your knee.
3. Ice. Icing the knee reduces swelling and can be used for both acute and chronic knee injuries. Most authorities recommend icing the knee 4 to 6 times a day for 15 – 20 minutes each time. You have to be consistent each day and then cut back when you feel better. No real ice then use proper reusable ice packs that maintain their coldness. Obviously this method of icing helps pain and inflammation. In fact people are always amazed at the results so you just have to stay with it and add in the other natural anti-inflammatory treatments. (Note: Do not put ice on bare skin as you may get frostbite.)
4. Compress. Compress the knee with a knee brace or wrap. Compression helps accomplish 2 goals. First, compression is another way to reduce swelling. Second, in some knee injuries, compression can be used to keep the patella aligned and to keep joint mechanics intact. But do not wrap it too tightly, since this can cause more swelling below the affected area. Loosen the bandage if it gets too tight. Signs that the bandage is too tight include numbness, tingling, increased pain, coolness or swelling in the are below the bandage. Do not expect the bandage to protect or stabilize a knee injury. Remember to talk to your doctor if you think you need to use a wrap for longer than 48 to 72 hours; a more serious issue may be present.
5. Elevate the knee. Elevation also helps reduce swelling. This works with gravity to help fluid that would otherwise accumulate in the knee flow back to the central circulation. Prop your leg up when you are sitting, or use a recliner, which naturally elevates the legs. You could also elevate the injured or sore area on pillows while applying ice and anytime you are sitting or lying down. You must try to keep the area at or above the level of your heart to help minimize swelling.
6. Instant Pain Relief Sprays and Rubs. In between the ice treatments you can use pain relief sprays or rubs such as Brazilian Heat. Brazilian Heat is considered as the best knee pain treatment as it contains 7% Brazilian menthol with other active organic oils. People found the spray effective in relieving their pain by turning off the pain nerves. But there are few things that you need to remember, when handling a spray, make sure you keep the spray away from your lips, eyes and other delicate private parts. Always wash your hands thoroughly after
applying the spray and if you accidentally get some lotion into your eyes or delicate private parts, wash the area thoroughly with water until the burning stops. If you got some in your eyes, wash out and get examined by a qualified medical doctor.
So when to call the doctor? When you are deciding whether to call the doctor, a good rule of thumb does exists for most long-term knee injuries and if your symptoms have not gone away after trying 3 to 7 days of PRICE therapy and knee pain treatment sprays and rubs, you should set-up an appointment with your physician or a sports medicine or orthopedic specialist to further evaluate the pain. Of course the rule can also be applied to new knee injuries that are not disabling. Bear in mind, that this rule should only serve as a guide but if you are concerned about
the pain, you should call the doctor. Or see the following guide on when to go to the hospital.
1. If you cannot walk on your knee, you should immediately go to the hospital’s emergency department to be evaluated by a doctor because of the possibility of a fracture. Many fractures may require immobilization in a specific position or surgery. Putting off seeing a doctor may hinder healing.
2. Other signs and symptoms that demand emergency evaluation such as fever which may indicate infection, unbearable pain, drainage, large wounds, puncture wounds, and swelling, if you are on a blood thinner or have a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia.