Health Tip: Treating Knee Pain

(HealthDay News) -- Knee pain can result from being overweight, overuse, poor posture during physical activity, not warming up or cooling down, or inadequate stretching.

Many causes of knee pain, especially those related to overuse or physical activity, respond well to self-care, according to The National Institutes of Health:

• Rest and avoid activities that aggravate the pain, especially weight-bearing activities.
• Apply ice. First, apply it every hour for up to 15 minutes. After the first day, apply it at least four times per day.
• Keep your knee elevated as much as possible to ease swelling.
• Gently compress the knee by wearing an ace bandage or elastic sleeve. Either can be purchased at most pharmacies. This may reduce swelling and provide support.
• Take acetaminophen for pain alone, or ibuprofen for pain and swelling.
• Sleep with a pillow underneath or between your knees.

You should call your doctor if you cannot bear weight on your knee; you have severe pain, even when not bearing weight; your knee buckles, clicks or locks; your knee is deformed or misshapen; you have a fever, redness or warmth around the knee, or significant swelling; you have pain, swelling, numbness, tingling or bluish discoloration in the calf below the sore knee; or you still have pain after three days of home treatment.

-- Nancyann Rella