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. Make an appointment with your doctor if your knee pain was caused by a particularly forceful impact or if it's accompanied by: If you have kidney trouble or high blood pressure or if you are an older adult, you should use acetaminophen (Tylenol) instead.
These types of drugs can cause stomach upset. These include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve).
Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may help relieve pain, swelling and inflammation.
Lying down with your knee propped up on pillows may help control pain and swelling. Make the bandage fit snugly around your knee, but not tight enough to cause pain or leg swelling. Wrap an elastic bandage around your knee to help control swelling. Use ice cubes or a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel. Put ice on your knee for 15 to 20 minutes a few times each day. For acute injuries, you may have to stay off your feet as much as possible or even use crutches for a short time. Try alternate activities that cause less discomfort - swimming instead of jogging, bicycling instead of tennis. Avoid more-strenuous or painful activities, but keep active. Surgery is often necessary to remove the bursae, but doctors typically consider surgery only if the condition is severe or does not respond to common treatments. Medications and physical therapy exercises can be beneficial. Treatment generally focuses on managing symptoms while the condition improves. When bursa becomes inflamed, they can cause pain above your knee, especially when walking or bending your leg. just a slight length difference could put enough strain on the IT band to make it painful. Knee bursitisīursae are sacs of fluid near your knee that soften the contact between the bones, tendons, muscles, and skin. Why do I feel pain from hip to knee on the outside of my leg. Some forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, can be treated with drugs that reduce inflammation. ArthritisĪrthritis in your knee occurs when the cartilage supporting your knee joint wears away.Ĭommon types of arthritis such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus can all cause pain around your knee and the surrounding joints.Īrthritis is generally treated with exercise prescribed by your doctor or pain medications and injections. They may even recommend removing the inflamed tissue through surgery.
In more severe cases, your doctor may recommend providing temporary support through splints or braces.