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First Aid & Emergencies

Call 911 NOW if you are having:

  • Chest Pain
  • Difficulty Breathing
  • Severe Bleeding
  • Sudden Weakness or Numbness
  • A Medical Emergency
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Knee Injury Treatment

Call 911 if:

  • The knee or leg bones look deformed.
  • The person can't bear weight on the leg.
  • The pain is extreme.
  • There is immediate swelling, tingling, or numbness below the knee.

1. Control Swelling

Use the RICE method:

  • Rest the knee.
  • Ice the area.
  • Compress with a wrap or elastic sleeve.
  • Elevate the knee as much as possible.

 

2. Treat Symptoms

  • For pain, give over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

 

3. When to Call a Doctor

  • Make an appointment with a doctor if you still have pain after two weeks of home treatment, if the knee becomes warm, or if you have fever along with a painful, swollen knee.

 

4. Follow Up

  • If you seek medical help, the doctor will examine the knee and may do X-rays or other methods of imaging. Medical treatments may include anti-inflammatory drugs, draining fluid, physical therapy, crutches or braces, or surgery.

 

WebMD Medical Reference

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Reviewed by Varnada Karriem-Norwood, MD on September 27, 2011
© 2011 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

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