What Can I Do For Unbearable Knee Pain?

Because knee pain is a common condition caused by a variety of health factors, people sometimes ignore the everyday discomfort. If your pain becomes so intense that it makes day-to-day life unbearable, things may not improve on their own. From helpful medical aids to working with a certified knee surgeon, here are steps you can take to find relief from unbearable knee pain.

1. Use the “RICE” Method for Short-term Relief

If you injure your knee or find yourself in unbearable pain, RICE is a handy acronym to remember. It stands for “Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.”

First, relieve any weight or pressure from the joint, and allow it to rest. Apply a cold or ice pack to the area to prevent swelling and soreness. Wrap the joint with a compression aid or an elastic bandage to keep the joint from moving and overextending; take care not to wrap it so tightly that it becomes numb or painful. Then elevate the injured area carefully with towels or pillows while sitting or laying down.

Once you’ve completed all of these steps, work with a medical professional to find long-term relief and healing. Call the Noyes Knee Institute to schedule a consultation. Our team will create a comprehensive treatment plan that’s right for you and your specific circumstances.

2. Don’t Be Afraid To Rely on Walking Aids

There are many types of walking aids and joint supports that can help adults find relief from intense knee pain. Some of these include:

• Canes, such as single-point or quad-point canes
• Crutches
• Walkers and knee walkers
• Compression braces
• Rehabilitative and controlled-motion knee braces

It is important to understand the nature of your condition before selecting a walking aid to avoid complications. If you suffer from long-term conditions such as osteoarthritis, a knee brace can constrict blood flow and worsen discomfort. When you work with the team at Noyes Knee Institute, we can help you select the right walking aid to suit your condition.

3. Avoid Excessive Knee Movement

A knee in pain is more likely to buckle under intense movement or strain. If you find yourself in unbearable knee pain, avoid any additional movement that would cause the pain to worsen. While “walking the injury off” may be suitable for minor accidents, overexercising an injured knee can cause damage and complications. Avoid any high-impact exercises and movements that could cause or worsen any injuries you may have sustained.

If the pain becomes so unbearable that any movement causes discomfort, call a medical professional immediately. This is especially true if you have undergone knee surgery in the past.

4. Work With a Knee Surgeon at the Noyes Knee Institute

As a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Noyes can help you find relief from unbearable pain. With some of the highest patient satisfaction rates in the country for knee replacement surgeries, Dr. Noyes and the knowledgeable surgical team at Noyes Knee Institute can start you down the road to recovery. Schedule your appointment today and discover true pain relief for your aching knees.