How Can I Treat My Knee?

Treating a knee injury, regardless if it is a serious or minor injury usually requires multiple trips to a physician just because of the necessity of the joint and how it can be more seriously injured from use. It is important to note that anyone experiencing a knee injury should take time to rest the knee, ice it, compress and elevate it to the best of their ability. Often times, using this method may preclude knee surgery and physical therapy.

Most knee surgeries require a arthascope, as a camera is used to visualize the knee while surgical instruments are used to repair the damages areas of the knee, such as with a torn ACL. Often times surgery is delayed so that the patient is allowed to actually strengthen the muscles that surround the knee itself. Doing so actually improves the chances of strengthening the hamstring and quadriceps of the muscles which makes physical therapy after the surgery much easier.

Post surgery care and physical therapy usually revolves around RICE, or Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.

Rest: Keeping off an injured knee is paramount to maintaining healthy functionality. Knee injuries tend to become even worse when used injured.

Ice: Ice reduces swelling and pain in the knee joint and if used immediately after the injury can reduce swelling.

Compression: Wrapping the injured knee joint with elastic bandages or an Ace wrap helps decrease swelling, though wrapping too tightly could cause even more swelling around the injured area.

Elevate: Keep the injured joint elevated above the level of your heart which minimizes swelling and reduces stress and strain to the knee.