Knee Pain Relief

Although knee pain is a very frustrating ailment - after all, our knees play a major role in how we get around everyday - there are knee pain treatments that can be very effective.

Prior to starting any knee exercise or implementing your own knee pain remedy, it's important to understand what is causing your pain. To avoid further damage to the knee joint a doctor should assess your situation and recommend a customized treatment plan.

Types of Knee Joint Pain Relief

Depending on the extent of your pain or injury a doctor may recommend one or more of the following:

Knee Stretching Exercise - Gentle muscle toning exercises designed for knee pain and leg pain, such as leg extension and straight leg raising exercises, or walking, can help alleviate the sensation that your leg is giving out - a sensation caused by weak muscles and ligaments.

Rest and Leg Elevation - Keeping your leg elevated, sometimes with a supportive pillow under the back of your knee, is often the initial treatment for common knee pain conditions.

Ice and/or Heat Treatment - Immediately following injury ice therapy with cold packs is often recommended to reduce swelling and inflammation. After the first 48-72 hours, when swelling has subsided, heat therapy may be effective to restore flexibility, as the heat tends to relax and loosen the tissues.

Compression - Compression bandages may be applied to prevent fluid buildup in the damaged tissues.

Physical Therapy with Knee Rehabilitation Exercise - A trained therapist can provide a treatment plan that should help you regain strength and mobility. A plan will typically include knee stretching and knee strengthening exercise as well as education on ways to prevent knee injury in the future.

Anti-Inflammatory Medication - Non steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, referred to as NSAIDS, are the most commonly prescribed medication for knee injuries.

Cortisone Injections - Although not suitable for every situation, cortisone can be a powerful and effective treatment for inflammation and can help with knee pain relief.

Orthotics - Shoe orthotics can be used to help adjust the leg in a way that less pressure is felt on the sore side of the knee.

Glucosamine and Chondroitin - This is an over the counter dietary supplement, which according to the packaging, helps to decrease the rate of cartilage deterioration, thus slowing the progression of arthritis in the knee. Keep in mind, there is no definitive scientific evidence of effectiveness, at this time.

Surgery as Treatment for Knee Pain

Not everyone with severe or chronic knee pain needs surgery. Many people find knee pain relief through nonsurgical treatments that include simple lifestyle modifications and exercise.

On the other hand...

Nonsurgical treatment may not be an option if you have cartilage damage that is interfering with your range of motion, or if you have a more serious knee injury.

Discuss the pros and cons of surgical and nonsurgical treatment with your doctor. Want a second opinion? Get one! They're your knees and you want them working properly for a long, long time!