The knee is the main weight-bearing joint of the body. Knee pain can cause a lot of problems in your daily life – it can make your simple day-to-day activities, such as climbing stairs, running, and even standing and walking, difficult.
Knee pain can occur from many reasons including arthritis, overuse, bursitis, tendonitis, knee sprain, etc. Knee pain can range from mild to severe, and can be either acute or chronic.
Thankfully,there are home remedies that can provide relief from knee pain.Let’s talk about those remedies and where you can go for the evaluation and treatment of knee pain in Boynton Beach.
Remedy #1 RICE Therapy
RICE therapy (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) can be helpful to provide relief from knee pain. In order to relieve knee pain and prevent it from worsening, get off your feet and rest. You can also apply a cold compress to the knee.
Wrapping a compression bandage around your knees can prevent swelling. However, do not wrap the bandage too tight, as it can cut off blood circulation. While resting, keeping your foot elevated can also ease swelling and reduce pain.
Remedy #2 Exercise
While rest is important, not getting enough exercise may stiffen the knee joint and speed up the rate of damage caused by osteoarthritis. Daily exercise is a great tool to treat osteoarthritis and other causes of knee pain.Exercise increases the flexibility of the knee joint and makes the surrounding muscles strong.
You can perform low-impact activities such as walking, cycling, and yoga for knee pain relief.
However, you should avoid exercise if you have severe knee pain, if your symptoms flareup after exercise, or if you have a knee injury such as strain or a sprain.
Remedy #3 Hot or Cold Therapy
Alternate heat and cold therapy can also reduce knee pain and inflammation. Through the application of heat to the affected area for 20 minutes, you can relax your stiff muscles, improve lubrication, and reduce joint stiffness.
Icing your knee joint for the first 2 days after a knee injury has also been proven to be beneficial in treating pain and swelling.
Remember to test any hot item before applying it to the skin. Moreover, don’t apply the ice directly on the skin as it can interfere with blood circulation and healing.
Remedy #4 Manage Your Weight
People with higher BMIs (body mass index) are at a higher risk for knee pain. This is because the extra pounds on your body puts more stress on the joints.
Healthy weight loss can reduce long-term knee pain, especially when caused by osteoarthritis.
Eating healthy foods and regularly exercising are vital for weight loss.
Remedy#5 Medications
Over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)can also help with knee pain caused by arthritis and knee injuries. You can also apply topical medications on the knee joint to reduce pain and inflammation. As always, consult with your doctor before use.
Knee Pain Relief in Boynton Beach
While knee pain can sometimes be treated at home, some cases will require medical attention.
At Personalized Orthopedics of the PalmBeaches, we have a team of highly trained and skilled orthopedic doctors that will thoroughly evaluate your knees to determine the cause of your knee pain. Our orthopedic doctors will not only diagnose your problem, but also provide comprehensive personalized treatments, which may include surgical and nonsurgical options, to improve your overall quality of life.
If you would like to make an appointment with us, call today at (561) 733-5888 or fill out our appointment request form online now.
