Tag Archives: ligaments

Knee Pain

RECOVERING FROM KNEE INJURIES?

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Prevention of Knee Injuries:

The knee joint allows you to run, walk and play sports. Awkward movements, falls and collisions, sudden twists, excessive force or overuse can result in a range of injuries to the knee joint and the structures supporting it. Common knee injuries include ligament, tendon and cartilage tears, and patello-femoral pain syndrome

First aid for Knee Injuries in the first 48 to 72 hours

Suggestions for first aid treatment of an injured knee include:

  • Stop your activity immediately. Don’t ‘work through’ the pain.

  • Rest the joint at first.

  • Reduce pain, swelling and internal bleeding with ice packs, applied for 15 minutes every couple of hours.

  • Bandage the knee firmly and extend the wrapping down the lower leg.

  • Elevate the injured leg.

  • Don’t apply heat to the joint.

  • Avoid alcohol, as this encourages bleeding and swelling.

  • Don’t massage the joint, as this encourages bleeding and swelling.

Prevention tips for Knee Injuries

You can help to prevent injuries if you:

  • Warm up joints and muscles by gently going through the motions of your sport or activity and stretching muscles.

  • Wear appropriate footwear.

  • Avoid sudden jarring motions.

  • Try to turn on the balls of your feet when you’re changing direction, rather than twisting through your knees.

  • Cool down after exercise by performing light, easy and sustained stretches.

  • Build up an exercise program slowly over time.

Professional help for Knee Injuries

Mild knee injuries may heal by themselves, but all injuries should be checked and diagnosed by a doctor or physiotherapist. Persistent knee pain needs professional help. Prompt medical attention for any knee injury increases the chances of a full recovery. Treatment options include:

  1. Aspiration – If the knee joint is grossly swollen, the doctor may release the pressure by drawing off some of the fluid with a fine needle.

  2. Physiotherapy – Including ultrasound and electrical muscle stimulation treatment, kneecap taping, exercises for increased mobility and strength, and associated rehabilitation techniques.

  3. Arthroscopic surgery or ‘keyhole’ surgery – Where the knee operation is performed by inserting slender instruments through small incisions (cuts). Cartilage tears are often treated with arthroscopic surgery.

  4. Open surgery – Required when the injuries are more severe and the entire joint needs to be laid open for repair.

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