Knee Sprain
AFTER YOU LEAVE:
1. Take your medications as directed by the healthcare provider.
2. Rest. The most important part of treating a knee injury is resting your knee. This will decrease swelling and allow the injury to heal. When the pain decreases, begin normal, slow movements.
3. Ice. Ice causes blood vessels to constrict which helps decrease inflammation (swelling, pain, and redness). Put crushed ice in a plastic bag or use a bag of frozen corn or peas. Cover it with a towel. Put this on your knee for 15 to 20 minutes, three to four times each day. Do this for two to three days or until the pain goes away. Do not sleep on the ice pack because you can get frostbite.
4. Compress. You may have given a brace by the healthcare provider. Please wear it as directed. You may need to wear an elastic bandage. This helps keep your injured knee from moving too much while it heals. You can loosen or tighten the elastic bandage to make it comfortable. It should be tight enough for you to feel support. It should not be so tight that it causes your toes to be numb or tingly. If you are wearing an elastic bandage, take it off and rewrap it once a day.
5. Elevate. Lie down and elevate your knee by propping it on soft pillows. Raising it to a level above your heart may help decrease the swelling.
Follow Up:
Follow-up as directed by the health care provider. You may need further workup such as a MRI (to determine if you have torn a ligament) should your symptoms not improve.
12547 Ocean Gateway Ocean City, MD 21842-9689 Phone: (410) 213-0119 Fax: (410) 213-2875
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