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When to see a doctor
By Mayo Clinic staffKnee pain that comes on slowly, or as a result of activity that's more strenuous than usual, can be managed at home. Knee pain that occurs from a relatively minor injury can often be safely observed for a day or two to see if self-care measures will be helpful.
Long-term knee pain from arthritis is often helped by weight loss and exercises to strengthen the muscles around the joint. Other self-care options include:
- Rest. Avoid more-strenuous or painful activities, but keep active. Try alternate activities that cause less discomfort — swimming instead of jogging, bicycling instead of tennis. For acute injuries, you may have to stay off your feet as much as possible or even use crutches for a short time.
- Ice. Put ice on your knee for 15 to 20 minutes a few times each day. Use ice cubes or a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel.
- Compression. Wrap an elastic bandage around your knee to help control swelling. Make the bandage fit snugly around your knee, but not tight enough to cause pain.
- Elevate your knee. Lying down with your knee propped up on pillows may help control pain and swelling.
- NSAIDs. Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may help relieve pain, swelling and inflammation. These include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve). These types of drugs can cause stomach upset.
Schedule a doctor's visit
Make an appointment with your doctor if your knee pain was caused by a particularly forceful impact or if it's accompanied by:
- Swelling
- Redness
- Tenderness and warmth around the joint
If you've had minor knee pain for some time, make an appointment with your doctor if the pain worsens to the point that it interferes with your usual activities or sleep.
Seek immediate medical attention
Ask someone to drive you to urgent care or the emergency room if your knee pain is caused by an injury and is accompanied by:
- A joint that appears deformed
- A popping noise at the time your knee was injured
- Inability to use the joint
- Intense pain
- Sudden swelling
- Ferri FF. Knee pain. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/206881312-7/1016844724/2088/1004.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05609-0..00046-0--s0020_15507. Accessed June 23, 2010.
- Anderson BC. Patient information: Knee pain. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 23, 2010.
- Pallin DJ, et al. Knee injuries. In: Marx JA, et al. Rosen's Emergency Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05472-0..00054-2--s0150&displayedEid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05472-0..00054-2--s0460&uniq=206881312&isbn=978-0-323-05472-0&sid=1016844724. Accessed June 23, 2010.
- Hergenroeder AC. Causes of knee pain and injury in the young athlete. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 23, 2010.
- Knee and leg. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/menus/leg.cfm. Accessed June 23, 2010.
- Anderson RJ, et al. Evaluation of the adult patient with knee pain. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 23, 2010.
- Wilkinson JM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. June 28, 2010.
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