man holding knee after injury

Knee-related Health Issues: How to Properly Handle Them

Your knees are one of the most important parts of your body.

They help you move, jump, and run. When they start to hurt, it can be difficult to do any of those things. Knee-related health issues are very common, especially as people get older.

In this blog post, we will discuss how to properly handle knee-related health issues.

We will also provide some helpful tips for preventing them from happening in the first place!

man adjusting knee brace

See a doctor

If you are experiencing knee pain, the first thing you should do is see a doctor. They will be able to determine the cause of your pain and prescribe the best course of treatment. Treatment for knee pain can vary depending on the severity of the issue. 

For example, if you have a small injury, such as a strained muscle, you may only need to rest and ice the area. On the other hand, for more serious injuries, you may even have to consider a total knee replacement surgery for example.

Although this may seem like a drastic measure, it is sometimes necessary in order to relieve pain and allow you to live a normal life.

Rest

One of the best things you can do for knee pain is to rest. This means avoiding activities that put stress on your knees, such as running or jumping.

It is also important to avoid standing for long periods of time. If you must stand for a long time, make sure to take breaks often and keep your knees moving.

Compression

Another helpful treatment for knee pain is compression. This means wearing an elastic bandage or sleeve around your knee to help reduce swelling. You can also use a foam roller on your calves and thighs to help reduce tension in the muscles around your knees. Ortho Bracing may be able to help you choose a good brace, of course, with the assistance of a medical professional.

These techniques can help to reduce pain and improve the range of motion. When you apply compression, make sure not to wrap it too tightly. This can cause problems with circulation.

Ice

Applying ice to the area can also help to reduce pain and swelling. Ice should be applied for 15-20 minutes at a time, several times a day. Do not apply ice directly to your skin. Wrap the ice in a towel or cloth first.

The towel will help to protect your skin from the cold and prevent ice burn. Once the swelling goes down, heat can be applied to the area to help loosen tight muscles. 

Elevation

Another way to reduce swelling is to elevate your leg when you are sitting or lying down. Prop your leg up on a pillow or cushion so that it is above the level of your heart.

This will help to reduce the amount of blood flowing to the area and can therefore help to reduce swelling. Also, avoid crossing your legs when you are sitting, as this can put additional pressure on your knees.

Exercise

Once the pain and swelling have gone down, you can start to slowly add some exercises back into your routine. Start with gentle exercises, such as walking or swimming.

These activities will help to increase blood flow to the area and improve the range of motion. As you get stronger, you can start to add more challenging exercises, such as running or jumping. However, be sure to listen to your body and stop if the pain starts to come back.

Massage

Massaging the muscles around your knees can also help to reduce pain and improve your range of motion. You can use a foam roller, tennis ball, or your hands to massage the area.

Be sure to apply pressure slowly and gradually increase it as you go. Massage should never be painful. If it is, you are likely applying too much pressure. If you’re having knee discomfort, physiotherapy care can help you safely and painlessly address the source of the problem. Therefore, schedule an appointment with the skilled therapist and get knee pain physiotherapy in Edmonton.

Applying sports tape

Sports tape can also be helpful in reducing knee pain. It can help to support the muscles and ligaments around your knee and can therefore reduce stress on the area.

Once you put the tape on, be sure to stretch and move around a bit to make sure it is not too tight. You should be able to move your leg freely without the tape causing pain.

Knee braces

If you experience chronic knee pain, you may also want to consider wearing a knee brace. Knee braces can help to support your knees and reduce pain.

Namely, this works by preventing your knee from moving in certain directions that may aggravate the pain. Knee braces are available at most drugstores and can be purchased online.

Lastly, knee issues can be extremely painful and prevent you from living a normal life. Although, there are a couple of different treatments that may help reduce the pain or improve your range of motion.

You should always speak with your doctor to see what treatment would be best for you.