We are sorry to hear you had an injury. This advice is designed to help you get better as quickly as possible. During your recovery we may contact you to improve the service for future patients.
Knee pain
Your examination today shows there are no worrying reasons for your knee pain, and it is likely that you have a common form of joint disease called osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis can affect many people throughout life with flare- ups that can cause pain and inflammation of the knee joint.
Osteoarthritis affects the smooth cartilage lining of the joint. This makes movement more difficult than usual, leading to pain and stiffness.
Sometimes the knee may give way or feel locked to movement.
What should you do?
Follow the advice discussed with the clinician who assessed you.
Your knee may be very painful, stiff and/or swollen. Therefore, you should follow the procedure known as “PRICED”.
P = Protect: It is important to keep the knee moving. Use any walking aids provided – this will offload the joint and importantly keep your knee moving until you are more comfortable. Use a walking stick in the hand opposite the painful knee.
R = Rest: Partial rest is often recommended, but you should move the knee as pain allows. This will aid your recovery
I = Ice: A bag of ice/frozen peas/ice pack wrapped in a towel can be applied for 15 minutes, every 2 hours, to reduce pain and swelling*.
C = Compression: There is limited evidence that a knee support may help, however, if you find this helpful, it may be used in the short term.
E = Elevation: Elevating the knee above hip level will help reduce any swelling
D = Drugs: Sensible use of simple painkillers, e.g. paracetamol, will reduce pain and allow you to start moving. Check it is safe for you to take any anti-inflammatories.**
* Warning: Check the area after 5 minutes for ice burn. Do not use on areas where you cannot feel the sensation of hot/cold.
** Warning: Follow patient information advice leaflet found in all medicines.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs – rub-on painkillers
These are also called topical painkillers. It is unclear whether rub- on anti-inflammatory painkillers work better than tablets.
However, the amount of the medication that gets into your bloodstream is much less with rub-on painkillers, and there is less risk of side effects.
* Warning: Only take painkillers as instructed on the patient information leaflet.
It is important to keep the knee moving - Exercise helps your knee to recover.
Your goals initially are to:
- Start walking as pain allows. You may have been given a walking aid - try to put weight on the injured knee. Stop using the walking aid as soon as possible
- Slowly increase the amount of time you are on your feet. Build up walking gradually
- Move the knee as much as you can
- Start doing gentle exercises to strengthen your knee
- Start improving your balance as able
Exercises
- You can try exercises to get you started
- These exercises will be most effective if completed ‘little and often’
- Try to do exercises every 2 hours.
- Remember to start exercising slowly and build up gradually
- Patients tell us that initially their pain can increase but usually settles again within a few days of starting the exercises
Lifestyle changes
There are several ways you can help yourself, including:
- Losing weight if you are overweight
- Stop smoking if you are a smoker
- Regular exercise (both muscle strengthening and general fitness exercise)
- Reducing stress on the affected joint (pacing activities, using a walking aid or wearing appropriate footwear)
- Using pain killers or anti-inflammatory creams, gels and tablets
Important information about smoking
FACT - Smoking affects healing rates. In extreme cases it can stop healing altogether.
GOOD NEWS - Stopping now will make the difference and give you the best results.
HELP - Go to: www.smokefree.nhs.uk or
https://www.salford.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/health-services/quit-smoking/ or have a chat with your GP.
Returning to physical activity: work, hobbies and sport
- Returning to sport and work will depend on the demands of your job and chosen hobbies and sport
- Recovery is faster if you stay at or get back to work as early as possible - if you are on your feet all day you may need to do a phased return to work, do lighter duties to start off with or have regular breaks to rest your knee
- Once you have regained your movement, strength and balance, you can start to increase your activity back to your previous level slowly
- Consider appropriate footwear. Comfortable, well-fitting closed footwear. Avoid flip-flops or sandals
Physiotherapy
If you are unsure about what to do and feel you need support with your rehab, then you can always go see a Physiotherapist.
If you are registered with a Salford GP, you can now refer yourself to NHS physiotherapy at: www.northerncarealliance.nhs.uk/go2physio
What should you watch out for?
If you experience any of the following you should return to A&E:
- You develop a sudden, sharp increase in unremitting pain to your knee
- You develop a sudden loss of movement to the knee
- Your knee becomes hot, red and swollen
- You begin to feel generally unwell with any of the above symptoms
You should see your GP if your pain is not generally improving after a few weeks.
Remember
- Osteoarthritis is a very common condition
- It is very important to keep your knee moving
- Early exercises will aid your recovery and may reduce flare-ups
Consider referring yourself to the go2physio service by visiting: https://www.northerncarealliance.nhs.uk/go2physio
Further advice and guidance can be found on social media.
But we recommend...
Versus Arthritis - information leaflet:
https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/osteoarthritis-of-the-knee/
Versus Arthritis - knee exercises document: https://www.versusarthritis.org/
Link to NHS Knee Arthritis: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/arthritis/
NICE clinical recommendations: https://cks.nice.org.uk/osteoarthritis
Date of Review: January 2024
Date of Next Review: January 2026
Ref No: PI_M_1368 (Salford)