Rest your knee as much as possible. Most people still need to walk and do simple movements with a knee that has inflammation. If this is the case for you, at least try to avoid strenuous activity on the knee. If the inflammation has not improved after 1-2 days, you should see your doctor.
Apply an ice pack for 15 minutes of every hour. Doing this for 3 to 4 hours in a row will reduce inflammation drastically. [1] X Research source You can use an actual ice pack to reduce inflammation. However, a bag of frozen vegetables works just as well. Wrap the frozen bag with a towel to protect your skin from the cold.
Be sure that you don’t wrap the area too tight. A very tight bandage can cut off circulation to the rest of the limb. To make sure it’s not too tight, ensure that you can slip one of your fingers under the bandage and lift the finger slightly. Also, if your toes or feet start to become numb, it is a sign that you need to loosen the wrap. Give yourself a break from the wrap every few hours. Wrapping your knee can also help to support the knee if you do need to walk on it. [3] X Research source
Elevate your inflamed knee whenever you are resting. If you plan on watching TV, reading a book, or taking a nap, lift your knee while doing it.
Follow the dosing directions supplied on the packaging. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about possible drug interactions or problems taking anti-inflammatory medications with your specific health history.
A lot of inflammation is rooted in injuries to tendons and muscles around the knee. High-impact exercises can exacerbate old injuries to these areas because of the force these activities exert on the joints. Similarly, daily activities can exacerbate knee problems for those who have conditions like arthritis. Scale back your activities to accommodate your needs.
Some other great types of low-impact exercises include stationary bicycling, elliptical training, water aerobics, stretching, and chair exercises. Daily low-impact exercise will help your knees to heal over time. [8] X Research source
Tomatoes Olive oil Green, leafy vegetables, including spinach, kale, and collard greens Nuts Fatty fish, including salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines Fruits
While many weight loss plans advocate for an increase in the exercise you are doing, keep in mind that you need to be careful with your already injured knee while you are doing that exercise.
If you have repeated bouts of inflammation from an injury or condition like arthritis, talk to your doctor about them when you go in for a checkup. They may be able to give some suggestions about how to prevent and treat the problem. Knee inflammation can be broken down into acute and chronic. If you’re experiencing pain for more than 6 weeks, that can be because of anything from osteoarthritis to lupus or another autoimmune disease. [12] X Expert Source Jonathan Frank, MDSports Orthopedic Surgeon & Joint Preservation Specialist Expert Interview. 31 July 2020.
Your doctor may also prescribe capsaicin cream. This is a topical pain reliever that can help with joint inflammation. Corticosteroids are typically injected into the joint. This is done in a doctor’s office and is a long lasting pain and swelling medication. Opioid pain medications, such as codeine, can be addictive. Be careful when using them and only use them when necessary to control pain.
There are a wide variety of knee surgeries that may be suggested. They vary in intensity. Some people simply need to have an outpatient arthroscopic surgery. Others will need very invasive procedures that take months to heal from, such as a full knee replacement.
