Knee injuries can be painful and limit mobility. Caring for knee injuries correctly can help speed healing and get you back on your feet more quickly. Proper diagnosis can help you care for your knee injury better and prevent further damage.
Instructions
1. See a doctor about your knee injury. You'll need to know how serious your injury is and whether it will require surgery or not. ACL tears will require different treatment than patellar dislocation. Knowing exactly what is wrong will help you care for your knee injury better.
2. Rest your knee for injuries like tendonitis and cartilage injuries. Continuing to participate in sports or other activities with a knee injury can be painful and it can create further damage.
3. Use a knee immobilizer which wraps around the knee and prevents it from moving too much. Some cartilage injuries may require a cast for a period of time, but knee strains, sprains or tendon tears may need an immobilizing brace or wrap while the knee heals.
4. Talk to an orthopedic surgeon about procedures like anthroscopy, which takes a direct look at the inside of the knee. This type of surgery may be used to repair torn ACL ligaments or meniscal tears.
5. Wrap your knee in an elastic bandage to help give support and reduce swelling. Ask your healthcare provider whether this is a good course of action for your particular injury. You can find elastic bandages or other wraps in most pharmacies or grocery stores.
6. Do physical therapy exercises for your knee to keep it flexible and help strengthen the surrounding tissues. After surgery on your knee, you may be asked to do straight leg raises and hamstring contractions. Strengthening your hamstrings and quadriceps will help strengthen your knee and prevent further injury.
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