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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffWhat treatment is best depends on the extent of your injury and whether it just happened or you've had it for a while.
Medications
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) or naproxen (Aleve), can help relieve pain and reduce swelling.
Therapies
- P.R.I.C.E. Mild to moderate joint injuries often are helped by following the P.R.I.C.E. model — protection, rest, ice, compression and elevation.
- Physical therapy. A physical therapist can teach you exercises that will help make your knee stronger and improve its function. You may also need a knee brace or crutches during your rehabilitation.
Surgical or other procedures
- Joint aspiration. This procedure uses a syringe to remove fluid from the joint. Aspiration may be performed if you have significant swelling of the knee that interferes with the joint's range of motion and your ability to use your knee or leg muscles.
- Surgery. If your injury is severe — especially if it's combined with other torn knee ligaments, cartilage damage or a broken bone — you may need surgery to reconstruct the joint. Surgery might also be recommended if you have persistent episodes of knee instability despite rehabilitation.
- Curtis C, et al. Posterior cruciate ligament sprain. In: Frontera WR, et al. Essentials of physical medicine and rehabilitation. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/116066654-3/790081040/1678/70.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4007-1..50069-9_1107. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
- Browner BD, et al. Posterior cruciate ligament injury. In: Browner BD, et al. Skeletal Trauma: Basic Science, Management and Reconstruction. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2003. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/116066654-3/790081040/1217/502.html#4-u1.0-B0-7216-9175-7..50060-3--cesec26_2762. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
- Griffin RL, et al. Posterior cruciate ligament injuries in the adult: Mechanism of injury. In: DeLee JC, et al. DeLee and Drez's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2003.
