Page 95 - (DK) Home Doctor: Providing practical advice on home treatments

COMMON CONDITIONS: HEAD, BACK, AND LIMB PROBLEMS 93

Knee pain

As main weight-bearing joints, knees are easily strained or
WARNING
injured; one or both knees may be painful and may be swollen,
warm to the touch, and difficult to move. A sudden twisting Seek immediate medical help if:
movement is a common cause of injury, while inflammation in the ● You have severe knee pain
and/or your knee is swollen, red,
joint or in the fluid-filled sacs surrounding it (bursitis) and arthritis
and hot, and you have a fever
are longer-term causes of pain and stiffness. ● You cannot walk after an injury
and/or you cannot move your knee
See also Sprains and strains, p.160.

See your doctor first
DRUG REMEDIES
Make an appointment to see your doctor if:
Analgesics include acetaminophen (see
● You are concerned about a knee injury
p.177) and ibuprofen (see p.185), which also has an
● You have pain in other joints and/or you
anti-inflammatory effect.
have had knee pain for some time
Counterirritants (see p.181) are creams
and gels that produce a tingling sensation, which
soothes pain temporarily. Some products have a
What you can do yourself warming effect; others have a cooling effect.
There are several home treatments that will help
relieve pain and increase your mobility.
● If you have injured your knee, use the R.I.C.E. NATURAL REMEDIES
procedure (see PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE, p.160).
Glucosamine and chondroitin
● Take an analgesic (see DRUG REMEDIES, right).
(see p.183) are naturally occurring substances found
● Massaging your knee with a counterirritant in joint cartilage. Taking supplements of either,
or a combination of both, may
cream or gel may also help soothe the pain
(see DRUG REMEDIES, right). relieve pain and stiffness and
slow the progress of arthritis.
● To prevent stiffness, move your knee frequently
as far as the pain allows. Gradually increase the Arthritis relief
range of movement as the pain subsides. It may take at least a
month for glucosamine
● If your knee pain is due to arthritis, taking a
and/or chondroitin
supplement of glucosamine and/or chondroitin may supplements to
help in the long term (see NATURAL REMEDIES, right). have an effect.
● Lose weight if you need to do so, because being
overweight puts extra stress on the knee joint.
● Wear comfortable shoes with a well-cushioned Seek further medical advice
sole and a low heel.
Arrange to see your doctor if:
● Regular exercise, such as walking up stairs or
cycling, will strengthen the leg muscles that help ● Pain and swelling from an injury are not
to protect and support your joints. subsiding after about 2 days
● The pain is becoming worse
● You develop new symptoms