Knee Pain Relief

Knee pain is one of the most common joint problems being treated and it is reported that at least 18-20% or the US population suffers from this condition.  As a load bearing joint it takes a lot of wear and tear that can seriously affect the way one walks, functions in his or her daily life. 

Pain or weakness in this joint can seriously limit the hobbies or leisurely activities.  If the problem is serious or chronic it can even impair basic day to day functioning which can result in deconditioning, poor health or pain and problems at other joints like the back, hip, ankle and the foot. 

Various things can lead to knee pain - sports related injury, knee surgery, general wear and tear secondary to obesity or one's occupation, accidents, etc.   Regardless of the reason, getting the problem addressed early is very important to prevent long-term impairments. 

Here are some basic tips for addressing knee pain or problems:

1. It is essential to get your knee pain checked out as early as possible by either your doctor of Physical Therapist.  This will help you start the rehabilitation process early and prevent more damage to the joint. 

2. Use of ice can be helpful during the acute or early phase of the injury especially if there is a lot of heat, swelling and redness.  However most conditions do better with heat since it improves circulation and prevents stagnation.    

3.  Avoid activities that put more weight on the joint – the knee is a load bearing joint and putting more weight on it aggravates it further.  It is very important to limit walking, standing, squatting, kneeling, running, etc. avoid putting too much pressure on the joint. 

4.  Best to use a cane or crutches to support the body weight and take pressure off the knee when injured or in pain.

5. Light strengthening and flexibility exercises can be very helpful to get back the range and strength.

It is advisable to avoid performing too much exercise, walking and standing or loading the joint too early.  Following these simple guidelines can greatly reduce the risk of future problems.  It takes time for the joint to heal.  So it’s best to take care of the joint and not re-injure by overdoing activities.  However if the pain continues on must see the doctor or physical therapist immediately.