Post #283058 by VampiressRN on Sun, Feb 4, 2007 11:13 AM

Take it from an old nurse (who once dislocated my knee cap) it is amazing how swollen those knees can get and how much pain a body can handle. It is rice as follows:

R = rest
I = ice
C = compression
E = elevation

The anti-inflammatories (Ibupropen, Advil, etc.) do help but be sure to take with food, they can be hard on the tummy. Ice should only be on (use with protective covering so the ice or frozen device is not directly on your skin) for about 20 munites every couple of hours. Especially good to do a wrap when you go to bed, as it helps reduce the irritation cause by movement when sleeping. Elevation and resting the knee is important early on.

Once you are up and around don't overdo it. After the swelling is minmized you can then rotate between moist heat and cold. Most heating pads have a thin sponge insert you can moisten, this type of heat penetrates into the muscle as opposed to dry heat which just warms the skin. A good way to do this is to do the moist heat 20 minutes, then massage the area a little and finish up with cold for 20 minutes to reduce the swelling and stiffen up the muscle for walking.

Take care. :)