How to treat knee pain?

Introduction

Knee pain is a common issue that can be caused by injuries, mechanical problems, inflammation, arthritis, and other degenerative conditions. While severe knee pain likely requires professional medical treatment, many types of mild to moderate knee pain can be managed with self-care techniques. For any knee-related issues consult with the best orthopedic doctor in Delhi.

Rest Your Knee

The first step towards relieving knee pain is giving your knee adequate time to heal by avoiding activities that aggravate the discomfort.

• Take Breaks: Take periodic breaks from high-impact activity or sports to give your knee some downtime. Use the time to ice the area as mentioned in our next section.
• Ice Your Knee: Icing the knee reduces pain and swelling by constricting blood vessels and limiting inflammation. Apply ice wrapped in cloth directly to the knee for no more than 15 minutes at a time a few times a day.

Medications

Basic oral over-the-counter medications can help provide relief from knee pain symptoms. Always consult your health provider before taking any new medication.

• Acetaminophen: For mild knee discomfort acetaminophen/paracetamol helps attenuate the pain response. Don't exceed dosage guidelines.
• NSAIDs: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin can relieve swelling and pain levels. They also lower the production of inflammatory chemicals.

Knee Supports/Braces

Wearing braces and knee sleeves/supports can improve stability, support the joint, and make activities like walking less painful.

• Compression sleeves worn tightly around the knee provide soft tissue support and warmth without restricting movement significantly. They stimulate circulation as well.
• Functional braces with side stabilizers or hinges assist with specific instabilities and can aid recovery from various knee injuries or post-surgery. Speak to your physical therapist.

Lifestyle Modifications

Certain lifestyle and dietary changes can take pressure off your knees and help manage symptoms over the long term.

• Lose Weight: For overweight individuals, losing even a modest amount of weight can make a dramatic difference by reducing force on the knee joints during everyday activities.
• Exercise Regularly: While too much activity can inflame knees, gentle exercises like walking or swimming help lubricate knee joints and strengthen supportive muscles without strain.
• Dietary Changes: Foods with anti-inflammatory effects like fatty fish, leafy greens, nuts, and olive oil can soothe knee flare-ups without side effects.

Seek Professional Treatment

If home remedies do not satisfactorily treat your knee pain within a few weeks, consult an orthopedic doctor for appropriate diagnosis and treatment.

• Medication Injections: Corticosteroid injections administered into the knee may offer rapid short-term relief by decreasing inflammation directly around joints.
• Physical Therapy: Specialized stretching and strengthening exercise routines under the supervision of a trained physical therapist can provide lasting relief from many types of knee problems.
• Surgery: In serious cases where other conservative treatments fail, a surgeon may consider arthroscopic surgery to remove or repair damaged tissue, or complete knee replacement for end-stage arthritis. Though invasive, surgery can be very effective for chronic debilitating pain.

Conclusion

With a range of management approaches available from home remedies to professional medical interventions, knee pain can be addressed effectively. While home treatments offer a starting point, consulting an orthopedist is key for long-lasting relief in stubborn cases. With a proper treatment plan tailored to your specific condition, most people with knee pain issues can obtain satisfactory symptom relief.