Therapy | Pain in the knee – What do I have?

Therapy

Usually a general pain therapy is indicated. Depending on the intensity of pain, acetylsalicylic acid, ibuprofen and diclofenac are used. Some knee joint diseases and especially injuries are treated surgically.

These include, for example, torn meniscus and ligaments, frequent diagnoses after an injury. The operation is usually performed by means of arthroscopy (mirroring, keyhole surgery). For the treatment of arthrosis, which is based on wear and tear of the joints, hyaluronic acid has recently been frequently used as a therapy.

Hyaluronic acid also occurs naturally in the joint and serves as a lubricant between the joint cartilages. In therapy, it is injected into the space between the joints by means of syringes and thus provides pain relief. The drug does not cause regeneration of the cartilage tissue, but it prevents inflammation and facilitates the mobility of the joint.

Self-therapy

Knee pain that becomes noticeable slowly or that occurs after hard physical exertion can usually be treated at home in the beginning. Pain that occurs due to a minor injury should be observed and may also be treated at home. For mild knee pain there are some things that can be done before a doctor is consulted:

• Protection: Avoiding painful and strenuous movements can help the joint to regenerate.

  Here it is important not to keep the knee completely still, but to switch to less stressful things that are painless. For example, swimming instead of jogging, or cycling instead of playing soccer. If pain still occurs, a doctor should be consulted and the knee should be spared.

• Cooling: Cooling the knee for 15-20 minutes every day can relieve the pain and swelling.
• Compression: An elastic bandage around the joint can control the swelling and give the knee the stability it needs.
• Raise: Raising the affected leg to an elevated position helps to drain the lymphatic fluid and thus prevents swelling.
• Medication: Over-the-counter medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects and can relieve symptoms. However, stomach problems can occur, so long-term self-medication is not recommended.