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Treatment immediately after a knee injury
If you suspect that you have
had a serious knee injury or are worried that you may have broken a bone,
we recommend that you visit an emergency department or a doctor's office
urgently. It is probably best if you err on the side of caution, and if
you have any doubts, or are less than sure that your injury is not a fracture,
see a physician promptly. Otherwise, it is usually quite safe to simply
ice the knee and avoid putting weight on it. A brace or a splint for immobilizing
your knee is usually not necessary. If you are treated first in an emergency
room or by a family practice doctor, it is not uncommon that you will
be given a special kind of splint that holds your knee straight called
a knee immobilizer. Sometimes, holding your knee in full extension after
it has been injured can make it more painful. This is because a large
amount of swelling in the knee or a torn portion of the ACL can block
full extension of the knee. In this case a position of having the knee
slightly bent is usually more comfortable. Once an orthopedic surgeon
has seen you, you will usually, though not always, be instructed to stop
wearing a knee immobilizer and begin moving your knee joint again. If,
like most people, you have been given a set of crutches when you hurt
your knee, then you can usually stop using them them once you can walk
comfortably and without a limp. As with most such general rules, however,
there are occasional exceptions to this one. You should ask your doctor
about any specific aspect of your care.
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