para>This is an image of a knee joint with the thigh bone, shin bone, and kneecap. There is a callout showing a muscle and tendon over the knee and the ligaments that join the thigh bone to the shin bone on the right and left side of the knee.View Original
This is an image of a knee joint with the thigh bone, shin bone, and kneecap. There is a callout showing a muscle and tendon over the knee and the ligaments that join the thigh bone to the shin bone on the right and left side of the knee.
View Original
This is a series of images showing how to handle sprains and strains. The acronym RICE stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation.
View Original
This is a series of images showing how to handle sprains and strains. The acronym RICE stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation.
View Original
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Rest. Allow your injury to heal before you do slow movements.
- Place an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel over the painful part. Never put ice right on the skin. Do not leave the ice on more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Ice after activity may help decrease pain and swelling. Never ice before stretching.
- Prop your knee on pillows to help with swelling.
- Use a knee brace if the doctor tells you to do this.
- Apply tape to the kneecap if your therapist or trainer teaches you how to do this.
- Wear good supportive shoes. Get inserts for your shoes if you have flat feet.
- Do exercises for stretching and strengthening.
- Lose weight if you are overweight. Being overweight puts stress on your knees.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctors may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- You may also need to see a physical therapist (PT). The PT will teach you exercises to help you get back your strength and motion.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain and swelling
Will physical activity be limited?
You may need to rest your knee for a while. You should not do physical activity that makes your health problem worse. If you run, work out, or play sports, you may not be able to do those things until your health problem gets better. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Injury to cartilage leading to arthritis
- Immobility and weight gain
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Stay active and work out to keep your muscles strong and flexible.
- Warm up slowly and stretch your muscles before you work out. Use good ways to train, such as slowly adding to how far you run. Do not work out if you are overly tired. Take extra care if working out in cold weather.
- Take breaks often when doing things that use repeat movements.
- Avoid running on hard or uneven surfaces.
- Wear shoes with good support and traction. Do not go barefoot.
- Wear a compression bandage to support your knee.
- Keep a healthy weight so there is not extra stress on your joints.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- More trouble getting up from a chair, going up and down stairs, or walking
- Pain, swelling, numbness, tingling, or discoloration in the calf below the injured or sore knee
- You are not feeling better in 2 or 3 days or you are feeling worse
Helpful tips
- Try swimming or water aerobics to have less impact on your knee.
- Avoid running down hills. Walk down instead or try running in a zigzag pattern to lessen the stress on the front of the knee.
- If going up and down stairs is painful, try going up or down sideways until the pain lessens.
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what may help ease my pain.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have more trouble getting up from a chair, going up or down stairs, or walking.
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Family Physicians ‚
http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditions/patellofemoral-pain-syndrome.printerview.all.html ‚
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/bones/knee_injuries.html ‚
Last Reviewed Date
2015-04-09 ‚
List_set bdysylist
- Neuromuscular and Skeletal
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care provider 's advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2016 Wolters Kluwer Clinical Drug Information, Inc. and its affiliates and/or licensors. All rights reserved. ‚