If you are in a public place, have someone help you get to the doctor. You don’t need to walk too much on your knee until you assess how bad your sprain is. See a doctor as soon as possible. Because it is the most popular method of treating a sprain, your doctor will likely tell you to follow the rest of the P. R. I. C. E. method after your visit. However, if it is a serious sprain, make sure you follow her instruction completely. [2] X Research source

You want to rest your knee just as you would for any muscle you’ve worked out—if you just did chest day and your chest hurt, you’d give yourself time for your body to heal. [3] X Expert Source Jonathan Frank, MDSports Orthopedic Surgeon & Joint Preservation Specialist Expert Interview. 31 July 2020. You should give yourself 3 or so days to let your body recover. [4] X Expert Source Jonathan Frank, MDSports Orthopedic Surgeon & Joint Preservation Specialist Expert Interview. 31 July 2020. Remember that as you get older, your ability to heal quickly diminishes. If your body still hurts after three days, don’t jump back into regular activity. [5] X Expert Source Jonathan Frank, MDSports Orthopedic Surgeon & Joint Preservation Specialist Expert Interview. 31 July 2020. Your doctor may also recommend a splint or a brace if you have issues keeping your knee still in the first few days after your injury. [6] X Research source

Do not ice your leg for more than 20 minutes at a time. You could cause cold injury or frostbite if you do. You can also use a cold compress instead of ice. You should continue treating your knee with ice for 48 hours or until the swelling goes down.

Take off the bandage while you sleep. This gives the blood in your knee time to circulate freely and your knee will not likely move much while you sleep. You may be able to take the compress off after 48 hours. If you knee is still swollen, however, your doctor may advise you to keep compressing it.

The amount you need to elevate your knee will depend on your environment. If you are sitting up, you may need more pillows than when you are laying down.

You can also apply heat to your knee in a sauna, whirlpool, hot bath, or hot tub. Do not heat before 72 hours have passed. You will actually do more harm than good if you heat too soon. The increased blood flow in your knee while it is still initially healing can cause it to bleed or swell more.

Try common brands of ibuprofen such as Advil and Motrin and brands of acetaminophen such as Tylenol. You can also take anti-inflammatory medications such as naproxen. You can buy it over the counter in such brands as Aleve. Ask your doctor for prescription anti-inflammatory medication, if the pain and swelling in your knee lingers longer than a week.

There are other creams that are available by prescription only. Ask your doctor if you think it might be an option you’d like to try.

Ask your doctor before you start drinking alcohol again. You want to make sure your knee has healed enough that you won’t deter your recuperation.

The type of the exercises and the amount of time you will have to do them depends on the extent of your injury. You may need more if your severely sprained your knee. Ask you doctor how long you should do your exercises.

The exercises you do will depend on you injury, but they are to help with stiffness, reduce any lingering swelling, and return your knee to its full range of motion without pain.

If you do not experience pain, you can go back to your normal level of activity, including sports and other physical activities.

You may also need surgery if you injured more than one ligament in your knee. It may be too difficult for your ligaments to repair themselves on their own. Surgery is typically the last resort. In most cases, all the other methods are tried first before surgery is even considered as an option.