Knee Instability and Pain - What Are the Treatment Options? Special Report on Reducing Knee Pain

Do you have knee instability?

How about pain in your knee?

In many cases, someone can have instability of the knee and not feel any pain. In other cases, someone can have a great deal of pain in the knee and not feel any instability. When there is both knee instability and pain, the cause is usually a damaged cartilage or a torn ligament.

When you have injured your knee it is usually due to an accident or injury to the knee. Sometimes these injuries are self inflicted. Some immediate incidents, some come from natural wear and tear.

There are treatments for this type of injury that include surgery. Most doctors will prefer to treat a damaged cartilage of the knees with conservative treatment at first, rather than resorting to drugs or surgery.

Rest and Relief

One of the most common recommendations by doctors for knee instability and pain is rest and relief from the pain. The patient needs to get off their knee and keep it elevated. If the patient has to walk, they should do so by using a knee brace. To ease the pain, and add well needed stability so something bad doesn't happen. Over the counter medication can be used as well as ice packs to keep the swelling down.

Pain Medications

Many doctors will prescribe pain medication for damaged cartilage. Patients need to be aware of the fact that pain medications can be very addictive. If you are in severe pain, you can take pain medications, but be sure to take them as prescribed for the pain and do not overuse them or you will find that you build up a tolerance and need increasing amounts of the medication to get the same effects. (Speak with your physician prior to using any medications.)

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is another way that you can treat an injured knee. A patient needs to go to a qualified physical therapist for this option, however, as exercising the cartilage or injured ligament may result in more knee instability and pain if done incorrectly. Using proper techniques, physical therapy coupled with the use of over the counter pain medications and knee braces are often very successful treatments.

Knee Brace

A knee brace is often recommended for someone that has hurt their knees, as it will help to keep your knee in proper alignment. If you have a damaged cartilage or an injured ligament, most doctors will recommend that you use the knee brace rather than opt for surgery, unless a surgical procedure is the only way to help you. This type of support will often times help to alleviate the knee instability and pain that is often the result of a damaged knee cartilage.

Surgery

Let's face it. Sometimes surgery is unavoidable. When you have no other conservative options left your physician may require you to have surgery to help treat your knee. Wearing a knee brace after a surgical procedure can also be effective because they can help provide the meaningful support you need.