Often, knee pain can be caused by a sudden injury, overuse, or by an underlying condition such as arthritis. Treatment options will vary depending on the cause.
Symptoms of knee injury
- Pain
- Swelling
- Stiffness
- Feeling weak or uneasy while standing
Most people have knee problems from time to time. While most normal body movements do not cause problems, it’s not surprising that symptoms develop from every day wear and tear, overuse or injury. Knee problems most often occur during sports or recreational activities, work-related tasks, or home projects.
Steps to treat knee injury
- Control Swelling – Use the R.I.C.E. method: Rest the knee, Ice the area, Compress with a wrap or elastic sleeve, Elevate as much as possible.
- Treat pain – take an over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain.
- Call a Doctor – If you still have pain after two weeks of home treatment, if the swelling hasn’t gone down, or if you develop a fever
- Follow up – If you seek medical help, follow the instructions as best as possible, including any follow-up treatment or appointments.
For severe knee injuries, your doctor may recommend surgery, as the best treatment option. Surgery may include partial knee replacement to repair the knee or total knee replacement.
In a partial knee replacement, the surgeon only replaces one part of your knee joint. you have a total knee replacement, the surgeon removes damaged cartilage and bone from the surface of your knee joint and replaces them with a man-made surface of metal and plastic. After a knee replacement, you can resume normal activity but may not be able to do certain activities, such as jogging and high-impact sports.
Learn more about treatment for knee injury and knee replacement at El Camino Hospital.
This article first appeared in the August/September 2015 edition of the HealthPerks newsletter.
