“ knee strain” needing relief

@anjalima Wow, that's a "catchall" term if I ever heard one. Did the doctor have any treatment suggestions? Is this the result of a specific injury, activity or fall, or has it crept up little-by-little?

As someone past 70 with significant osteoarthritis and a still-active lifestyle, I often find my knees sore after strenuous activity. Here are a few techniques for relieving the pain - heat for chronic pain, ice for a new injury, a little rest (but stay as active as you can), Tylenol or ibuprofen if you can tolerate it, and a topical NSAID pain rub (like Voltaren).

You can improve muscle tone to help support the knee - targeted exercise (sometimes a session or two with a physical therapist to find what works for you), stair climbing - as much as you can tolerate (good for lungs and heart too.)

Other things to consider - only good supportive footwear, indoors and out. That rules out flip-flops, crocs, floppy bedroom slippers, heels over 1 1/2" high and old worn-out broken down shoes (like we use to do yard work.) Temporary use of a flexible knee brace or compression sleeve during activity. Kinesio or Rock therapy tape in a pattern to minimize discomfort (lots of info on line about this product.)

Just suggestions from my experience - I am trying to protect my bad knee from further surgery a little longer.

Thank you Sue!

I’m doing some of those things already and I’ll try others … I’ve been using ice not heat for chronic… ugh… but after a hike would ice be used or still heat?

Ice after exercise, heat to soothe...for chronic pain, I use whichever feels good at a specific time. For example, I usema hot shower in the morning to loosen stiff joints and relieve pain. I ice after PT or a good workout.

@anjalima
Did you fall or twist your knee? How did you strain your knee?

Did they look at soft tissues using a MRI (not just look at bone with X-ray)?

Did they prescribe anything for pain? How did they recommend you treat your knee strain?

Have you tried topical Voltaren gel to help reduce inflammation? Are you using rest, ice, compression and elevation?

Been about a month… I torqued the knee when my foot caught on a gel mat ( for a second time) in my kitchen ( gone now!)

I waited a bit then decided to go to ortho who did x ray with no further diagnostic recommendations other than a shot in knee which I declined. He said I have arthritis in the knee and a certain bone shape that lends itself to this possibility. I’m 74 and had this once before in other knee .

I went to my trusted chiropractor who finally helped other knee last year but not this year.

Alternating Advil and Tylenol on most bothersome days and now a CBD cream that “ may” be helping. I’m using compression to walk/hike then ice and doing known knee PT routine. Going to try heat . Rather avoid cortisone shots !