How to Treat a Knee Sprain
A knee sprain can be painful but is not a serious injury. If you have been diagnosed with a knee sprain, you may have some pain, swelling and bruising. To recover as soon as possible from a knee sprain, you need to follow a four step treatment plan, commonly referred to as R.I.C.E.--rest, ice, compress, elevate.
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Instructions
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Rest your knee. Initially after suffering a knee sprain, rest is probably the most important part of treatment. Try to keep weight off your knee and walk as little as possible.
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Ice down your knee to help relieve inflammation and pain. Put ice cubes or crushed ice in a sealable plastic bag. Wrap the bag in a towel or cloth. Place the ice pack on your knee for 20 minutes, four times a day. Continue treating your knee with ice for at least three days.
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Compress your knee by wrapping it with an elastic bandage. Wrap the bandage tightly enough to support your knee, but not so tight that it cuts off your circulation.
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Elevate your sore knee as much as possible. Try to keep your knee above your heart to decrease the blood flow and swelling to your knee. Lie down on your back, and place two or three pillows underneath your sprained knee while sleeping.
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Apply heat to your knee to alleviate stiffness after the first three days. Though the initial treatment for a sprained knee is ice, after a few days you should switch to a heating pad. Apply heat for 20 minutes, four times per day or as needed for stiffness and pain.
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Take Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil or Nuprin) for pain, if necessary. Ask your doctor for prescription anti-inflammatory medication, if the pain and swelling in your knee lingers longer than a week.
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Tips & Warnings
If your knee sprain is severe, use crutches to walk to avoid putting weight and pressure on your knee.
Get an MRI to make sure there is no ligament or structural damage to your knee.
