The knee area is very susceptible to damage and injury. Sports activities can damage the cartilage. Arthritis and osteoarthritis are common ailments which affect how the knee suffers. Swelling of the knee because of an accumulation of liquid is also a possibility. This is called a knee effusion. Regardless of the cause of the damage, there is relief at hand and it is important to understand that the knee joint is indeed one of the largest joints on the body and should undertake regular exercise. However, the first thing needed is a diagnosis of what problems are present.
It is also wise to follow a dietary regime which encourages strengthening of joints, and this is particularly relevant to the knee joint. It was once thought that glucosamine was the best supplement for joints, though scientific discoveries have advanced and have proven that these treatments only cover a very small percentage of tissues that connect that joint to other parts of the body. What does connect the tissue and help to keep the joint mobile was discovered to be Hydrolyzed Collagen (Type II) as 67% of the joint tissue is made up of this. When the knee is in pain, it is usually because of damage or wear to the tissue.
Different Ways to Relieve Different Kinds of Pain
For Osteoarthritis Pain
For this kind of pain, exercises are the best way to mobilize the knee. From a sitting position, the patient should try to put both feet firmly onto the floor. Then, without the aid of the arms, the patient should stand. This strengthens the muscles around the knee and helps them to relieve the pain. Another exercise that can be done to help relieve pain is when the patient steps onto a step and then back down again, using the good knee to take the downward step for stability.
For Pain caused by Water on the Knee
In the case of knee effusion, wrapping the area with an ice pack will help relieve pain. An ice pack for injuries or pain of this nature should ensure that the ice does not touch the skin. These specific packs can be purchased, through wrapping ice cubes into a towel will achieve the same thing to reduce the swelling. This, in turn, will reduce the pain.
Injury Pain
When injury pain is treated, normally a physician prescribes a course of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs. These have side effects and can often affect the stomach. There are also links between regular dosage of NSAID drugs and stroke. Thus, although a temporary solution to pain, do not treat the cause. Having a balanced diet which includes supplements such as suggested above would be a better way forward, since these help out in times of injury to relieve pain. Pain medication is normally prescribed to help ease pain.
In many cases of sports injury the patient will be referred to a physiotherapist who will be able to help relieve pain by exercise suited to the injury in question.
The pain from the knee joint can be very intense and all precautions should be taken to protect the knees. By using the remedies shown above, the patient will find that it’s only a matter of time before full flexibility of the knee joint returns.
