Ice and elevation. To control pain and swelling, apply ice to your knee for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 to 4 hours.
Using the R.I.C.E. formula, swelling often goes down in 1 to 3 days. If the swelling does not go down within a few days of starting R.I.C.E., or if swelling and pain worsen, contact a doctor. While not always necessary, over-the-counter medication may be used to relieve knee swelling and associated pain.
A regular program of walking can reduce stiffness and inflammation and it won't make most chronic knee conditions worse.
Acupuncture has been shown to be very effective in treating knee pain and swollen knees. Acupuncture not only helps the body release internal opioids which are the body's own painkillers, but also helps to increase blood flow to painful areas, helping damaged tissues recover.
Several nutritional supplements have shown promise for relieving pain, stiffness and other arthritis symptoms. Glucosamine and chondroitin, omega-3 fatty acids, SAM-e and curcumin are just some of the natural products researchers have studied for osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
TCM and Acupuncture aims to restore normal movement and function to the knee and its surrounding tissues, so as to try and prevent further injury and reduce pain. TCM techniques also aim to restore blood and energy flow to the region to help in a timely recovery.
Rest. Avoid weight-bearing activities as much as possible. Ice and elevation. To control pain and swelling, apply ice to your knee for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 to 4 hours.
There is no cure for arthritis of the knee. It's a lifelong condition. But the good news is treatment can relieve some of the symptoms. Treatment might even slow down or stop the disease from getting worse.
“When we drink water, we not only help stimulate the production of synovial fluid, but also help with cartilage regeneration and lubrication of the cartilage to reduce joint inflammation,” says Dr.
The most common causes of knee pain are related to aging, injury or repeated stress on the knee. Common knee problems include sprained or strained ligaments, cartilage tears, tendonitis and arthritis.
A swollen knee occurs when excess fluid collects in or around your knee joint. Health care providers might refer to this condition as an effusion (uh-FU-zhun) in your knee joint. A swollen knee may be the result of trauma, overuse injuries, or an underlying disease or condition.
Knee inflammation can have many causes, including injury, arthritis, infection, gout and bursitis. Minor inflammation can usually be treated at home. Ice, elevation and resting your knee may resolve the problem. Exercise or physiotherapy may also help.
Chronic swelling can be a sign of an underlying medical condition. In many cases, swelling can be treated at home with painkillers and by elevating your leg. However, you should see your GP if you think your knee is infected, or if your swelling doesn't go down after a few days.
Trauma to the knee's bones, ligaments, tendons, bursae, meniscus, or articular cartilage can cause pain and swelling. Serious injury can cause blood to flood into the knee joint, leading to significant swelling, warmth, stiffness, and bruising. This condition is called hemarthrosis and warrants urgent medical care.
An untreated knee infection can damage knee cartilage and bone and may result in permanent knee damage. The bacteria from your infected knee can reach the bloodstream and spread to various parts of the body.
In general, the affected portion of your knee might feel warm, tender and swollen when you put pressure on it. You might also feel pain when you move or even at rest. A sharp blow to the knee can cause symptoms to appear rapidly.
Knee Pain: Use Ice or Heat
If there is swelling in your knee, you should ice for at least 72 hours until the swelling goes down. After that, heat can be used to help regain mobility. If you are suffering from joint tightness and stiffness, heat can help relax these away.
Massaging the knee can be very beneficial if you are experiencing stiffness, pain, or swelling in your knees. Whatever the cause of your knee injury may be, massaging the knee can provide relaxation and take pressure off any nerves that may be causing you pain.
Sitting with your knees crossed or bent under you over-stretches the ligaments and muscles surrounding your knee. This can also increase the pressure on your knee joints, which can cause pain and swelling.
And, walking is one of the best exercises to reduce inflammation. A study documented that 20 minutes of walking works to stimulate cells that regulate inflammation. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) was reduced significantly after 4 weeks of moderate exercise in test subjects.
Tea is one of the most-studied drinks when it comes to its benefits for arthritis patients. Green, black and white teas are all rich in polyphenols – compounds from plants that have strong anti-inflammatory effects. You'll find the highest polyphenol levels in green and white teas.
Frankincense Resin (Ru Xiang) This TCM classic not only alleviates acute or chronic pain + trauma to the body, but it can also treat inflammatory diseases. Interestingly enough, this hardened, gum-like material comes from the trunk of the Boswellia carteri tree, which is native to India + Africa.
Boiogito (BO), a Japanese traditional herbal medicine, has been proven to be clinically effective against knee osteoarthritis (KOA)-associated pain.