Some Basics...

• There are many causes of knee pain. Overuse is a common cause of knee pain.
• Most people can treat minor knee pain at home.
• People with severe knee pain should see a doctor.

Causes of Knee Pain

• Arthritis: Includes degenerative, gouty, infectious, inflammatory, and traumatic arthritis.
• Baker's Cyst: This is also called a popliteal cyst. This is fluid collection in a cyst that bulges out from the knee. Problems include painful or painless swelling in the area behind the knee.
• Cellulitis: This is a bacterial infection of the skin.
• Injury: Like from a bruise, dislocation, fracture, sprain, or strain.
• Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: This is also called chondromalacia patellae.
• Prepatellar Bursitis: This is a fluid filled sack on the front of the knee. It is just under the skin in front of the knee cap.
• Tendonitis: This is an overuse injury.

Pain Scale

• None: No pain. Pain score is 0 on a scale of 0 to 10.
• Mild: The pain does not keep you from work, school, or other normal activities. Pain score is 1-3 on a scale of 0 to 10.
• Moderate: The pain keeps you from working or going to school. It wakes you up from sleep. Pain score is 4-7 on a scale of 0 to 10.
• Severe: The pain is very bad. It may be worse than any pain you have had before. It keeps you from doing any normal activities. Pain score is 8-10 on a scale of 0 to 10.

When Is Knee Pain Serious?

• Severe pain and cannot walk
• Knee swelling with fever (may have an infection of knee joint)
• Pain and/or swelling in one calf

1. What You Should Know:
   • There are many causes of knee pain. Overuse is a common cause of knee pain.
   • With treatment, knee pain most often goes away within 1 week.
   • You can treat minor knee pain at home.
   • Here is some care advice that should help.
     
2. Treatment for Knee Pain from Overuse: Overuse can cause muscle strain or joint irritation. This is very common after activities like tennis, basketball, and jogging.
   • Cold: For pain or swelling, use a cold pack or ice wrapped in a wet cloth. Put it on the sore knee area for 20 minutes. Repeat 4 times on the first day, then as needed.
   • Heat: If the pain lasts over 2 days, apply heat to the sore knee area. Use a heat pack, heating pad or warm wet washcloth. Do this for 10 minutes, then as needed.
3. Rest Your Knee: Do this for the next couple days. Avoid doing things that make your pain worse. Avoid activities that put a lot of strain on the knee. These include deep knee bends, stair climbing, and running.
4. Pain Medicines:
   • You can take one of the drugs listed below if you have pain.
   • They are over-the-counter (OTC) pain drugs. You can buy them at the drugstore.
   Acetaminophen (Tylenol):
   • Regular Strength Tylenol: Take 2 pills (650 mg) every 4-6 hours. Each pill has 325 mg of acetaminophen.
   • Extra Strength Tylenol: Take 2 pills (1,000 mg) every 8 hours. Each pill has 500 mg of acetaminophen.
   • Do not take more than (3,000 mg) of this drug per day.
   Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil):
   • Motrin and Advil: Take 2 pills (400 mg) every 6 hours. Each pill has 200 mg of ibuprofen.
   • A second choice is to take 3 pills (600 mg) every 8 hours.
   Naproxen (Aleve):
   • Aleve: Take 1 pill (220 mg) every 8 hours. Each pill has 220 mg of naproxen.
   • A second choice is to take 2 pills (440 mg) every 12 hours.
   Extra Notes:
   • Use the lowest amount of a drug that makes your pain feel better.
   • Your doctor might tell you to take more than what is shown above. That is because your doctor knows you and your health problems.
   • Acetaminophen is safer than ibuprofen or naproxen in people over 65 years old. Acetaminophen is in many OTC and prescription drugs. It might be in more than one drug you are taking. Be careful how much you take. Too much of this drug can hurt the liver.
   • Caution- Acetaminophen: Do not take it if you have liver disease.
   • Caution- Ibuprofen and Naproxen:
     • Do not take ibuprofen or naproxen if you are pregnant.
     • Do not take these drugs if you have stomach problems or kidney disease.
     • Do not take these drugs for more than 7 days without checking with your doctor.
   • Read all package instructions.
5. What to Expect: Your knee pain should start to get better within a week. If it does not get better or if the pain comes back, see your doctor.
6. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Knee pain lasts more than 7 days
   • You get worse