Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Treating your knee at home
• Part 2 of 3: Visiting a doctor
• Part 3 of 3: Preventing further injury
• Warnings

Knee injuries are quite painful, but unfortunately are common, especially in athletes and people with weak joints. Tearing of your meniscus or loose fragments in your joint can cause a "blocked knee", painfully restricting movement of the knee joint. Your knee can also become physically blocked if the joint gets stuck in your knee. If you have a knee injury, you should immediately make an appointment with your doctor, but you can also start treating the injury at home in the meantime.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Treating your knee at home

1. Stop all activities and rest your knee. If you injured your knee in a sports game or other activity, stop immediately and rest the knee joint. If you still have some freedom of movement in your knee, have someone help you walk to the nearest safe place to sit and rest for as long as possible. Extra movement can further damage the knee joint.
   • If you have no movement in your knee, go to the doctor or contact emergency services immediately as it could be a broken or dislocated kneecap, requiring immediate medical attention.
2. Cool the knee immediately. Putting ice on the knee will help reduce pain and the effects of swelling. It is best to let the ice sit for 30 minutes at a time. You can put ice on the blocked knee every 3-4 hours for 2-3 days after the injury.
   • Do not apply heat to a knee injury until a doctor tells you it is the appropriate method. Heat can cause more inflammation of the area and increase swelling, further limiting your movement.
   • If the pain returns, you have arthritis, or previously injured the knee, alternate between ice and heat to relax the muscles and joints after the swelling has subsided.
3. Raise your knee above your heart. Keeping the knee elevated will also help reduce swelling and limit use of the knee. You can do this by placing a few pillows under your heel and knee while lying down. If you need to sit up straight or feel more comfortable with it, still keep the knee up in front of you by placing it on a nearby chair or stool.
   • Make sure your back and neck are well supported to avoid injuring other parts of your body.
4. Wrap the knee with an elastic bandage. This will compress the knee joint and help control the swelling that can cause pain and discomfort. You can find elastic bandages at most grocery stores in the health and wellness section, or at the nearest pharmacy. If you have one, you can use a neoprene "brace" made specifically for the knee joint, instead of an elastic bandage.
   • Make sure not to wrap the bandage too tightly. Be aware of loss of circulation and make sure you can easily insert your finger between the bandage and the knee.
5. Take NSAIDs to relieve pain and swelling. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Advil and Motrin, commonly known as Ibuprofen and Aleve, and also known as Naproxen, help reduce swelling and control pain. Follow the directions on the package to find the right dose for you. You may use these as needed, as they can have harmful side effects, such as the risk of bleeding or stomach ulcers.
   • Always read and follow the package insert of any medication before taking it.
6. Ask your doctor about alternative forms of pain relief. Treatments such as acupuncture, cortisone injections, or electrotherapy are very effective in relieving the pain for some patients. They can be cost effective and help you feel a lot better quickly after an injury.
   • For example, if you have persistent swelling of your injury, electrotherapy may be a good option for pain relief.
   • Acupuncture is normally used to improve pain management while the patient is still on physical therapy and taking oral painkillers.

Part 2 of 3: Visiting a doctor

1. Call your doctor to make an appointment as soon as possible. Once the knee injury occurs, make an appointment with your usual doctor to have the injury checked. Try to schedule an appointment as soon as possible after the injury, as waiting can cause additional damage to the joint.
   • Most GPs have seen many knee injuries and will be able to give you medical advice right away, depending on the severity of the injury.
   • Your doctor may need to do an X-ray or MRI to properly assess your knee injury.
   • If you do not have a doctor, you can go to an emergency room or an emergency service for treatment.
   • If at any point you lose movement in your knee and can't reach a doctor, go to the emergency room for immediate medical attention.
2. Schedule an appointment with a physical therapist to get your knee moving again. A physical therapist can give you a number of exercises and activities that you can do at home that will help your knee heal. After an injury, they will normally teach you how to do the stretches first, have you exercise at home every day, and visit you regularly to monitor your recovery.
   • In some cases, you need a doctor's recommendation or prescription to see a physical therapist.
   • Check whether the physiotherapist is reimbursed by your insurance. Even with a referral from a physician, only a few physiotherapy practices in your area will be part of the "network" and covered by your insurance.
3. Visit an orthopedic surgeon if you have a serious injury. In severe cases, a blocked knee will require surgery to relieve pain and restore movement in the knee joint. If your pain continues, your doctor will refer you to a surgeon to discuss further treatment options. Knee surgery is normally performed non-invasively and is safe for the patient.
   • When it comes to surgery, getting more than one professional opinion is helpful. If you are unsure or don't know what to do after visiting your doctor's referred surgeon, get a second opinion from another surgeon.
   • Common knee injuries, such as tendon tears and a meniscus, are performed arthroscopically. Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that uses robotic arms controlled by the surgeon to work with great precision on small, delicate areas.

Part 3 of 3: Preventing further injury

1. Rest when you need to. If you are tired, your knee hurts or pounds, or if you have other pain in the leg area, take time to rest. Many people report feeling stiff or weak in the knee joint even after recovering from an injury. Sit down and keep your leg elevated for a while if you are very tired or in pain.
2. Take the time before you start doing intensive activities again. Activities such as running, walking, cycling, yoga and most team sports are hard on the knee joints. Slowly work your way up to these activities by first concentrating on getting stronger and being able to move more.
   • For example, if you want to go hiking, you can start with a tour of the neighborhood walking up and down small slopes. Once you are comfortable with that, you can start climbing stairs to gain strength in your knees. Over time, you can cut down on trails that are not too strenuous, before going on moderate and then more difficult trails.
3. Stay active all year round by doing low-impact exercise. Not moving the knee joint can sometimes be just as damaging as overexertion. Try to include walking, swimming, or stretching in your daily routine to avoid joint stagnation, which can otherwise cause stiffness.
   • If you play a sport in a certain season, do some exercise or stretch every day. This can prevent injuries when the competition starts again.

Warnings

• NSAIDs can increase the risk of bleeding or stomach ulcers.
• If you don't see any improvement after three days of home care, make an appointment with your doctor.