Taking Care of Knee Pain

Knee pain is the most common musculoskeletal complaint that brings people to their doctor. With today’s increasingly active society, the number of knee problems is increasing. Knee pain has a wide variety of specific causes and treatments. Some common home care techniques for knee pain that control inflammation and help to break the inflammatory cycle are protection, rest, ice, compression, and elevation. This regimen is summarized by the memory device PRICE.

PROTECT the knee from further trauma

This can be done with knee padding or splinting.rnA pad over the kneecap, for example, helps to control the symptoms of some knee injuries (an example is a form of bursitis sometimes called housemaid’s knee) by preventing further repetitive injury to the prepatellar bursae.

REST the knee

Rest reduces the repetitive strain placed on the knee by activity.rnRest both gives the knee time to heal and helps to prevent further injury.

ICE the knee

Icing the knee reduces swelling and can be used for both acute and chronic knee injuries.rnMost authorities recommend icing the knee 2 to 3 times a day for 20-30 minutes each time.rnUse an ice bag or a bag of frozen vegetables placed on the knee.

COMPRESS the knee with a knee brace or wrap

Compression reduces swelling.rnIn some knee injuries, compression can be used to keep the patella aligned and to keep joint mechanics intact.

ELEVATE the knee

Elevation also helps reduce swelling.rnElevation 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. Elevation works best when the knee — or any other injured body part — is higher than the level of the heart. If you feel the pain is still aggravating, then contact the best orthopedic doctor in Hyderabad Dr. Neelam Venkata Ramana Reddy at Star Hospitals