What helps with knee pain? We will advise you on how to deal with it and what you can do at home to alleviate it. Check out our tips below.
NB! Of course, we recommend that you consult a doctor if necessary.
Why does the knee hurt?
Knee pain can affect us all, regardless of age. However, it can become more serious and chronic in old age. Over the years, the joints start to wear out and this can cause various joint problems.
Knee pain in old age when it is caused by joint wear or osteoarthritis.
Such wear and tear is a completely natural and inevitable part of life that can be alleviated but not completely avoided.
Knee ligaments can also be damaged during sports, as a result of some trauma, such as a fall, concussion, or anything else.
The knee pain that afflicts young people is usually associated with overwork in sports, but it is usually a disorder that goes away within a few days.
In case of major injuries and ailments, a doctor should be consulted for timely treatment.
Relieving knee pain in case of trauma
If the knee hurts, the way to relieve the pain should be chosen according to the cause of the pain. However, if you know that this is due to a minor injury or trauma you have just received, you can deal with it at home in the first instance.
Relieving knee pain at home is possible. The following are ways to deal with trauma or injury.
Treatment with cold against the pain
Injuries to the knee can cause inflammation. In that event cold helps. Any cold compresses or cold treatment or cryotherapy is helpful here.
Cold therapy helps to reduce inflammation, swelling and pain. Many athletes are fascinated by the effectiveness of such therapy and often use it to heal their injuries and return to sports more quickly.
If you suffer from knee pain, it is possible to perform topical cryotherapy, which is carried out only on the specific area of the body that is causing the discomfort.
For quick relief at home, make your own cold compress, for which a special cold bag as well as ice cubes or even a pack of frozen vegetables, which you can find in your freezer, is suitable.
How to use a cooler bag?
- keep it on your sore knee for at least 20 minutes in a row;
- do this for several days, a few times a day.
Let your knee rest
If the cause of your knee pain is an injury, let your knee rest.
Rest is important to reduce excessive weight and pressure on the injured knee joint.
Excessive exercise can do you more harm than good in the first few days and injure an already traumatized joint even more.
Try to avoid excessive exercise for one to two days after the trauma. In the case of minor injuries, the pain should relieve or disappear after a few days.
Use a knee bandage
The knee bandage helps prevent fluid from accumulating in the damaged tissues and maintains the natural position and stability of the knee.
Find a knee bandage that is light and breathable to make it comfortable to wear. It must be tight enough to support your knee, but also not too strong to interfere with blood circulation.
Keep your feet elevated
To reduce swelling, keep your feet above the rest of your body. To do this, place the feet on a pillow and lie on the couch or bed at the same time. This is a good way to rest yourself.
If your knee pain or trauma consequences increase, contact your family doctor or call the 24-hour family doctor helpline for instructions on how to proceed and treat your knee pain.
Foto: Wolfgang G.