Having issues with my knee?

Question

My knee doesn't really hurt, it's a little sore but nothing bad. It's really tight and I have a hard time when I try to bend it back to stretch it out or when I try walking up stairs. Sometimes it will pop which makes it feel a little better. I've also noticed that it a little swollen on the outside. It's been bugging me for a little over a week and I honestly can't figure out what I did to it. It's on the opposite leg of the messed up ankle so I don't know if I threw it out of wack when I hurt my ankle about 3 weeks ago and was hobbling around or what. It doesn't really hurt, more like the muscles are just really tight, stiff and sore. Does anyone have any suggestions? I've been trying to soak it in hot water (because I do it for my ankle anyway) and that seems to help a little but it's not really getting better. It's not getting worse either though. Should I be concerned? Never had issues with my knees (except for really bad growing pains when I was a teenager about 15 years ago)

Answer 1

You may have thrown it out, which is common when we injure another body part and then some other part of the body has to pick up slack. But if it's been more than a week and is not resolving itself, it might be time to get it checked out. Warm/hot water is OK, but you may wish to be more assertive and go with a heating pad or moist warm compress and alternate with ice. Ice will address the swelling and the alternate heat may keep the muscles loose. I suffer with arthritis in my knee and have had knee surgery in the past, these were the professional medical recommendations I have been given and they've helped me a lot. If you can take over the counter meds like Motrin, or Aleve, they will help too, but DO NOT take them in combination with aspirin. Take one or the other. Good luck.