It is a known fact that knee pain can occur at some point in our lives. This can often urge the individual to consult a doctor and can be caused by infection or injury. The medications used for knee pain include anti-inflammatory drugs which are highly effective in minimizing the pain and swelling along with topical treatment options and self-care measures.
You can easily manage knee swelling and pain by enrolling in first aid training today. In doing so, you know what to do in case a family member or colleague at work suffers from knee swelling and pain.
Over-the-counter pain medications
The over-the-counter medications for pain that must be present in any first aid kit or medicine cabinet include acetaminophen or ibuprofen. These are considered safe and effective in treating certain ailments such as muscle aches, headaches and the occasional knee pain. As for the swelling, anti-inflammatory medications such as naproxen are useful. The treatment for chronic knee pain would require a different medication since long term use of acetaminophen can lead to adverse effects.
For severe cases of knee pain, the doctor might prescribe stronger medications to help manage the pain experienced by the individual.
Topical pain medications
Osteoarthritis can cause pain and tenderness in the affected knee. The symptoms of osteoarthritis or other similar conditions that affect the knee can be treated with the application of certain ointments. Other topical options include Capsin which contains capsaicin as well as patches that contain lidocaine. If these lidocaine patches are used, they can be prescribed by a doctor.
Compression
Compression is considered as a commonly used form of treatment for fluid retention or swelling which helps prevent fluid from accumulating in the knee. Compression bandages are available in pharmacies and drug stores in fabrics that are light in weight and easily adhere to the knee.
When using a compression bandage, it must be wrapped in a secure manner but not too tight since it can disrupt with the proper circulation. Even though this remedy does not directly manage the pain in the knee, it can help reduce the swelling so that the individual is less restricted by the condition.
Application of an ice pack
One of the readily available remedies for knee pain and swelling is the application of an ice pack. The application of ice on the knee not only reduces the swelling but also dulls the pain. In most cases, doctors advise the application of ice on the knee for 20 minutes at several times in a day. If an ice pack is not available, a bag of frozen vegetables can also be used. Do not leave the ice pack on the skin too long since it will only harm the nerves and cause further irritation on the skin.