Knee cartilage injury can occur suddenly when we are exercising or having an accident. While waiting for the doctor's action, perform the following first aid steps for knee cartilage injuries.
Cartilage has various functions, such as connecting one bone to another, supporting surrounding body tissues, reducing friction between bones, preventing joint damage, supporting body weight, to helping us move freely. However, this one body part is not immune from injury, and one of them is knee cartilage injury.
Knee Cartilage Injury First Aid
Knee cartilage injuries can be caused by a sudden impact, resting or bearing weight on the body, and minor knee injuries that occur over a long period of time. Knee cartilage injuries can also be caused by certain diseases, such as arthritis, gout, or cartilage infections.
If that's the case, knee cartilage injuries can cause swelling, extreme pain, and make us unable to move freely. For first aid cartilage in the injured knee, you just need to do these simple steps:
- Protect cartilage from further injury.
- Rest for at least 48-72 hours after the injury occurred.
- Compress the injured knee with ice cubes that have been wrapped in a cloth or towel, for 10-30 minutes. Then, compress again for 15 minutes every 2 hours, within the first 48-72 hours after the injury occurred.
- Press or cover the knee with a bandage, to help the knee rest and limit swelling.
- Raise your legs so they are higher than your chest. This is done to limit and reduce swelling in the knee.
- Immediately see a physiotherapist for further treatment.
- Do not shower using hot water or compress the knee with heat pack.
- Don't drink alcohol. Alcohol makes swelling in the knee worse and slows the healing process.
- Do not run, so that the knee cartilage injury does not get worse.
- Do not massage the injured knee, as this will make the swelling worse.
Further Treatment
After performing first aid for knee cartilage injury, immediately visit a doctor for further treatment, such as:
- Physiotherapy, namely exercises to strengthen the muscles around the knee, and help reduce pain and pressure in the joints.
- Giving non-steroidal painkillers (NSAIDs), to help reduce swelling and pain.
- Providing movement support devices, such as canes or leg bracesleg brace).
- If the knee cartilage injury is severe and won't heal on its own or with other treatments, the only option is to have surgery. Knee cartilage surgery is usually performed by inserting a small instrument into the knee joint. For more extensive damage, major surgery on the knee is required, to repair damaged cartilage and surrounding tissue.
If you have a knee cartilage injury that causes severe pain, severe swelling, and difficulty moving, consult an orthopedic surgeon immediately. The sooner a knee cartilage injury gets medical treatment, the better the healing process will be.
