Remedies for Sore Knees

Knee pain is one of the most common afflictions for which doctors hear complaints. Because of the way the knee is built, it's easy to damage and stress. Generally, the more active a person, the more likely she is to develop knee pain at some point in life. If you're overweight or elderly, you're more likely to suffer from knee pain, even if you aren't overly active. But there are remedies for sore knees.

Take Medication

Begin by consulting with your doctor about taking NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs). These are made to reduce swelling and stiffness, and can be the first step in treating your sore knees. Medications such as Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Aleve and aspirin all fall under the NSAID category. It is important that you check with your doctor before you begin these treatments in order to dose properly and to be aware of any health risks they might cause.

Use the I.C.E. Method

One of the most successful treatments for knee pain is to use the I.C.E. method. Ice the joint. Compress it, and Elevate it. Get off the knee and raise it above hip level. Using an ice pack, apply cold directly to the sore knee for a minimum of 20 minutes. Then wrap the sore knee in a compression bandage to reduce any swelling and provide support until the pain eases. This is a simple treatment but has great effect.

Rest

It may sound too simple, but rest is often the most effective remedy. Sore knees are ones that have been stressed. In some way, you have taken the joint and applied pressure or trauma to it to cause it to have inflammation and pain. The easiest way to calm this reaction is to stop stressing the knee. Get off it. Rest, sit down, and when you do need to get up, avoid activities like squatting, jumping, running, or twisting of the knees. .

Brace Yourself

Knee braces are one of the most common and most successful methods to help with sore knees. There are many braces available at local stores, and you can even have a special one made for you under the care of your doctor. In fact, if you see a doctor concerning sore knees, they are very likely to prescribe a brace to see if that will alleviate the problem. There are even shoes that can help to distribute weight in such a way as to take pressure off the knees. Your doctor will help you determine if these are right for you.

Stretching

One thing most of us do not do is stretch our muscles before any vigorous activity. Even something as simple as walking can cause our knees to ache if we have not stretched the muscles properly. Take the time at the beginning of each day to stretch your leg muscles, and especially take the time just before you do any physical activity such as sports or exercise. By stretching the muscles out beforehand, you may prevent soreness from ever developing in your knees.

Surgery

Finally, when all else fails, surgery may be an option. Depending on on what your professional diagnosis under the care of an orthopedic surgeon may be, a surgical method may be the best option to treat your sore knees. With the help of MRI imagery and X-rays, your doctor will be able to determine exactly what the cause of your pain is and how to treat it. Never be afraid to see the doctor about your knees. Many people fear their physician will instantly want to do surgery, when in fact, doctors will exhaust every option before turning to surgery as a fix. So if you have tried all the listed methods and are still suffering pain, don't be afraid to ask your orthopedic surgeon for help. Today's surgeries are far less invasive and far more successful than ever, and often help to significantly improve a patient's quality of life.