Anyone experiencing knee pain wants to know how to find immediate relief from the symptoms, and why not, when knee pain is so difficult to ignore? The last thing you need is knee pain that prevents you from doing chores, focusing on your work, and spending quality time with your family. You want relief and you want it now.
Fortunately, there are several ways to reduce knee pain, without needing to go to a clinic. As the problem is very common, there are many treatments just for the purpose of easing knee pain. Below are 5 ways that can help you reduce knee pain today.
1. Rest Your Knee
Take a break from activities that put stress on your knees. If your knees are hurting, avoid moving around a lot, as this can aggravate the pain. Your knee could be telling you to take it easy. Try putting a pillow under your knees as you lie down in bed. The pain should improve after two days of rest, if not, then you should see a doctor.
2. Ice the Painful Knee
Ice your knee to reduce pain and swelling. Be sure to ice for 20 minutes at a time, several times a day. Always place an ice pack wrapped in a thin towel on your knee. Never put ice directly on your skin, as this can lead to skin irritation. Additionally, there are gel wraps that you can leave around your painful knee for 20 minutes at a time.
3. Use a Compression Device
Use an elastic bandage or compression sleeve around your painful knee. You can also use a knee brace. Compression helps improve blood flow and provides support to the painful knee, which can help ease the pain.
4. Use Knee Pain Relief Products
There are some products designed to relieve pain in the knee. Topical pain products such as soothing gels or creams that contain capsaicin and menthol, as well as numbing creams that contain lidocaine can help reduce knee pain symptoms. The idea is that the ingredients can be absorbed through your skin, providing relief from pain.
5. Do Some Exercises
Exercise helps reduce knee pain by strengthening the muscles around the joint, improving the range of motion, and increasing blood flow to the area. Straight leg raises, hamstring curls, double knee to chest, and clamshell exercises can help provide immediate reduction of knee pain symptoms. There are many more knee exercises that can help make knees stronger and prevent knee pain. A physical therapist can teach and guide you through these exercises to ensure you are doing them correctly.
Knee pain can be a symptom of a serious underlying condition, such as arthritis or an injury. It is important to see a doctor for knee pain that persists, so you can find out why your knee is hurting and receive appropriate treatment for it. If left untreated, chronic knee pain can lead to long-term joint damage and disability.
Knee Pain Treatment in Baltimore and the Surrounding Area
The orthopedic specialists at Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland specialize in treating knee pain, and can expertly administer a range of non-surgical and surgical treatments. We also offer on-site physical therapy services in our Clarksville, Jessup, and Westminster locations.
Our goal is to find out the underlying cause of your knee pain and recommend the appropriate treatment that will provide you lasting relief. To schedule an appointment with us, use our convenient online appointment request form or call our orthopedic office today at (410) 644-1880, toll-free at (855) 4MD-BONE.
