Most of us are guilty of ignoring any form of discomfort that we feel in our knee area, thinking it is something that does not require medical attention.  Unfortunately for most of us, minor discomfort that lasts for a few days are often an indication of an underlying knee injury.

Knee injury can take on many forms and can happen to anyone, may they be athletic or a couch potato. Too much and too little activity in the knee area can have serious effects to your knees, and disregarding knee injury symptoms may lead to an even serious if not permanent disability.  Here are the most common symptoms of knee injury that should prompt you to a quick visit to the doctor.

Pain

Pain is the most common indicator of knee injury, and it is usually identified by:

• Location:  Front knee pain is associated with knee cap problems, while inner knee pain can be related to medial meniscus tears or arthritis.  Pain located at the lateral or outside part of the knee can also be linked to arthritis, as well as IT band tendonitis.  Fluid collection may be a problem if you’re experiencing pain behind the knee.
• Timing: what time of the day and at what instance do you experience knee pain?  If you feel pain upon waking up in the morning and it lessens with activity, you may be suffering knee injury symptoms brought about by early arthritis.  Knee pain while going down the stairs, on the other hand, can be caused by chondromalacia or other types of knee cap problems.

Swelling

Swelling is one of the knee injury symptoms that are often the result of knee effusion or collection of water in the knee.  Fluid collection may either be rapid or gradual, both of which often lead to mobility problems that can become permanent if not treated immediately.  The doctor will have to do several assessment tests to find out how to remove the fluid and prevent it from coming back.

Lack of Mobility

Limited range of motion can occur if some parts of the knee like the muscles, tendons, and bones suffer from damage.  Common knee injuries that result in mobility issues include knee ligament injuries like MCL (medial collateral ligament) injury, a torn cartilage (meniscus tear), osteoarthritis, jumper’s knee, and patella fracture.

Lack of Stability

Weak knee structures will lead to your knees giving way in the absence of fatigue or any other health condition.  Common knee injuries that result in knee injury symptoms of instability include anterior cruciate ligament rupture, torn cartilage in the knee (meniscus tear), lateral collateral ligament (LCL) and MCL injury, as well as osteoarthritis.

Never take these knee injury symptoms lightly.  If you experience burning knee pain, see swelling, observed that your knees are unusually unstable, feel that your range of knee motion is limited, or suspect that you have sustained knee injuries from running, go visit your doctor immediately.  Your physician will be the best to subscribe an exercise regimen that can bring your knees back to their normal state if possible. We also have our own recommendation of knee strengthening exercises that you can do at the safety and comforts of your home.

how these simple exercises can help you get back your active lifestyle.

Knee care for treating knee injury symptoms can be simple depending on the nature and cause of knee injury.  There are simple treatments that you can do at home, while others require special medical attention that involves tests, medications, and even surgery.  Here are some tips on what you can do at home if ever you suffer from common knee injuries.

RICE

RICE is the acronym for rest, ice, compression, and elevation.  If you just suffered a common knee injury such as a sprain or strain, avoid any activity to the affected part by resting the knee flat on a surface.  Reduce the swelling by applying ice for 15-20 minutes, and then limit further activity by applying a splint with a compression bandage.  Afterwards, lie down and elevate your legs so that your knee is higher than your heart by placing a pillow beneath your thigh, knee, and leg.

Pain Management

Knee care often involves pain management with over-the-counter medications such as NSAID’S (ibuprofen, naproxen), paracetamol, and acetaminophen.  They can be taken to relieve pain behind the knee, pain behind the knee cap, or inner knee pain.  These drugs are usually taken ever 4-6 hours for knee pain treatment. However, if you experience deep, sudden and burning knee pain that is not relieved by any of these drugs, go visit your doctor immediately.  A doctor’s appointment is also necessary if the pain persists for 2 weeks, if you cannot bear to put weight on your knee, or if pain is accompanied by warmth and fever.

Knee braces

Doctors recommend the use of knee braces for managing serious injuries such as a torn ligament of the knee. Braces are often made up of a strong, sturdy material enforced with metal parts for limiting the range of motion of the knee.  This is done to prevent further injury as well as provide support to knee structures during the healing phase.

Exercises

Physical therapy is necessary for knee treatment, especially if you have suffered knee cartilage damage.  Your knee injury exercises can be done with or without knee braces depending on your strength and how your knees have been healing since the injury.  Knee exercises can range from flexion, extension, walking, and squats, and your physiotherapist will be the one to prescribe a tailored exercise program after a thorough assessment.

Prevention

Prevention is better than cure, as they say, and this holds true for knee care.  One of the best prevention is losing weight.  Obesity is one of the leading causes of knee injury and often the predisposing factor for arthritis.

Once your knees have healed, you can also maintain a certain exercise regimen to help reduce the risk of knee injury in the future.  Exercises are good for your knees because not only do they help you lose weight, but they promote blood and fluid circulation around the knees while maintaining flexibility and movement.  If pressing weight on your knees is contraindicated, you may want to try out non-impact sports such as swimming, leg raises, tai chi, and more.  Do note that you need a doctor’s approval on any level of physical activity if you have just recovered from a serious knee injury, or if you have any medical condition such as hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes.

Unless otherwise indicated, keep yourself hydrated by drinking 8-10 glasses of water everyday.  This will help maintain the suppleness of the tendons in your knee, and also keep the joint fluid at an optimum level to prevent the joint heads from scratching against each other.

Knee care and treatment for common knee injuries are simple and can be easily done at home.

on the complete guide that helped me get back the full function of my knees after I suffered knee injuries from running.