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Lifestyle and home remedies
By Mayo Clinic staffTaking care of yourself when you have water on the knee includes:
- Rest. Avoid weight-bearing activities as much as possible when your knee is painful and swollen.
- Ice and elevation. Cold therapy can help control pain and swelling. Apply ice to your knee for 15 to 20 minutes every two to four hours. You may use a bag of ice, frozen vegetables or an iced towel cooled down in your freezer. When you ice your knee, raise your knee higher than the level of your heart, using pillows for comfort.
- Pain medication. Over-the-counter drugs such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) may help relieve your knee pain. If you need something stronger, ask your doctor about prescription medications.
References
- Frequently asked questions about osteoarthritis of the knee. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00228. Accessed Jan. 18, 2010.
- Johnson MW. Acute knee effusions: A systematic approach to diagnosis. American Family Physician. 2000;61:2391.
- Mathison DJ, et al. Approach to knee effusions. Pediatric Emergency Care. 2009;25:773.
- Knee problems. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.gov/Health_Info/Knee_Problems/default.asp. Accessed Jan. 18, 2010.
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