8 home remedies to reduce knee swelling fast

 8 home remedies to reduce knee swelling fast

Why does the knee swell?

Swelling of the knee is a sign that there is a problem with the knee. It could be the body's reaction to an injury to part of the knee, an injury from overuse, or a symptom of an underlying disease or condition. Knee swelling occurs when fluid collects in or around the knee joint.

Another term for a swollen knee is knee effusion or water on the knee. If the knee swelling persists for more than three days, if the swelling gets worse, or if you experience severe pain accompanying the swelling, seek medical professional advice.

In the meantime, here are eight ways to quickly treat knee swelling at home.

1. rest

The first step is to rest the knee. Avoid sports and other weight-bearing activities for 24 hours or more to give your knee a break and a chance to heal.

However, it is still a good idea to gently straighten the knee and flex it several times a day. This will help the knee maintain range of motion.

2. ice

Apply ice to the knee for 15 to 20 minutes every two to four hours for the first two to three days after a knee injury. This will help control the pain and reduce the swelling. Remember to use a towel between the ice pack and your skin to avoid damaging your skin.

3. Compress

Wrap an elastic bandage or sleeve tightly around the knee to prevent the fluid from getting worse. Be careful not to wrap too much, which could cause swelling in the leg and foot.

4. Elevate

Sit or lie down with your leg raised as you slide the knee. Place your leg on a raised stool or pillow to reduce blood flow to the affected knee. It helps reduce inflammation.

Make sure your leg is higher than heart level. This is the last step in the widely used RICE method, which denotes rest, ice, compression and elevation.

5. Take anti-inflammatory drugs

Over-the-counter medications can help relieve knee pain. Pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) are readily available options in grocery and convenience stores, as well as online.

Acetaminophen is only a pain reliever, but ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen (Aleve) are also anti-inflammatory. These drugs belong to a class known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It is good to use an anti-inflammatory pain reliever to relieve swelling in the knee.

In cases where medical intervention is needed, a doctor may give you a prescription pain reliever or an oral corticosteroid, such as prednisone. There are also steroids that can be injected directly into the knee joint. These will help reduce inflammation.

6. Switch to heating

After 72 hours of intermittent icing, you can add heat. Consider taking a warm bath or using a heating pad or hot towel for 15 to 20 minutes, several times a day. If the swelling gets worse, turn off the heat.

7. Try massage

Massaging the knee can help fluid drain from the joint. You can have a gentle self-massage or have a professional massage.

For a self-massage, you can choose to lubricate the knee with castor oil. Not only will the oil help your hands glide easily over your knee, but topical application of castor oil is known to reduce pain and inflammation.

8. Do knee exercises

After the injury has healed a bit, you can do isometric exercises to strengthen the muscles that support your knee. When the muscles around a joint are strong, they can help relieve joint pressure. These exercises can also help reduce fluid in the knee.

It is often a good idea to keep your knees strong as a preventative measure against knee damage and swelling. There are some exercises that can be helpful in maintaining strong knees, including:

Flexibility training

weight training

low impact exercises like aqua aerobics and swimming

Maintaining a healthy weight can also help prevent unnecessary wear damage that can cause knee swelling.

The causes

Although inflammation from overuse is a common cause of knee swelling, major injuries can also cause fluid build-up. These may include:

Ripped ACL

torn meniscus

Broken bones

A disease or condition can also be the cause of a swollen knee. The underlying causes can include:

osteoarthritis

rheumatoid arthritis

an infection

gout or pseudogout

tumors

bursitis

cysts

When to see a doctor

Although most knee pain can be treated at home, swelling in the knee can also be a sign of a serious injury or a symptom of an underlying medical condition.

It is important to contact a doctor if:

you have severe swelling or pain

you cannot fully straighten or flex the knee

your condition is not improved by the RICE method within three days

you have a fever of 100.4 ° F or higher

the knee turns red and feels warm to the touch

the knee cannot support any weight and feels like it is "giving in" (this can be a sign of a torn ligament)

you have a sharp pain when you get up from a squatting position (this may be a sign of a torn meniscus)

Rheumatoid arthritis and gout can also cause swelling. If you have symptoms such as fever or redness, it is important to see a doctor.

Some significant damage to the knee may require surgery. Reconstructive procedures can range from minimally invasive arthroscopic repairs to knee replacements.

The bottom line

In many cases of knee swelling, the RICE method is a good way to relieve inflammation and reduce swelling. The use of over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs can also help.

If you are concerned about swollen knees, have chronic knee pain, or have other symptoms, seek help from a healthcare professional.