Table of contents:
When the knee injury occurs during the practice of a sport or a fall, for example, it is possible to treat the injuries through simple measures that can be done at home, such as putting ice on the site and anti-inflammatory ointments, as it is possible to relieve pain and swelling.
However, when the pain is very intense and does not improve after a few days, it is important to consult the orthopedist so that exams are carried out that allow the knee to be evaluated in more detail and, thus, more specific treatment is indicated..
Some tips for treating knee injury at home are:
1. Hot or cold compresses
After a blow to the knee, you may want to apply ice to the area for about 15 to 20 minutes 3 to 4 times a day to help reduce knee swelling and pain. It is important that the ice is not applied directly to the skin, but wrapped in a thin cloth, so that it is possible to avoid burning the skin.
However, if the pain does not improve after application of ice, it is recommended to apply warm compresses on the site as the heat relaxes the injured joint or muscle, providing greater flexibility during the recovery phase.
2. Rest
It is important that the person rests after a blow to the knee, so that the muscles can relax and reduce inflammation in the joint, helping to relieve pain.
In addition, during rest, you can also bandage the knee with a compressive bandage to reduce movements and contain swelling and keep the leg elevated, lying on the bed with a pillow under the knee and to heel. In this way, it is possible to alleviate the symptoms of the injury.
3. Get a massage
Massaging the knee with anti-inflammatory ointments can also help relieve the symptoms of the injury, and it is important that the massage is performed 3 to 4 times a day until the product is fully absorbed by the skin.
In addition to anti-inflammatory ointments purchased at the pharmacy, you can also massage on site with an arnica ointment, which also has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. See how to prepare arnica ointment.
4. Exercises
It is also important that some exercises are done during the recovery of the injury, because this way it is possible to prevent damage to the joint and recover the movement of the knee.
One of the exercises that can help relieve the signs and symptoms of knee pain is to lie on your back and bend your leg, dragging your heel over the surface to the point where you can perform the movement without pain, repeating this exercise 10 times in a row.
Another exercise that can be useful to improve movement with this joint is to remain seated on a table with your legs hanging down and then straighten your leg until the leg is extended or the pain is borderline. This exercise can also be performed 10 times in a row, however it is important that the exercises are indicated by the physical therapist, as they may vary according to the person's needs.
When to go to the doctor
It is recommended to consult the orthopedist when the person cannot move or bend the knee, the pain is very intense or when the knee appears deformed. In addition, going to the doctor is advised when the person has a fever or the joint feels warmer.
Thus, during the consultation, the orthopedist can carry out a more detailed analysis of the symptoms and perform tests that can identify the cause of pain and dysfunction, through specific tests and imaging tests such as X-ray or resonance, for example.
