Question: I am 65 years, 3 weeks ago I had a fall side ways, after some time the right hand side of my left knee swelled up quite markedly. There is no pain in the joint, it feels though like the skin has no flexibilty and it makes the joint difficult to move, Its slowly improving but the swelling does APPEAR to be going away. The joint itself moves freely after a nights sleep, this only last for a short time once weight is placed on the knee. I live in a rural area and its not to easy to see medical people with experience of knee injuries. The swelling is still quite marked, there is an area on damage skin immediatly on the right side of the knee, I can walk on it no problems. I am current taking Roxithromycin and amoxicillin/clavulanic tablets in case of infection

I will upload an image of the area tomorrow morning, its currently 0200 here

Image has been uploaded, the swollen area can be seen starting from just above the the skin damaged area, Note knee cap is not effected. As stated there is and has not been (except just after the fall) been any pain, the joint just feels as if its been wrapped in an inflexible layer. One of the main things I would like to know is how much exercise it can stand. I was swimming for 1 hour three times a week up to a week or so ago, this was clearly not doing it any good. I am seeing a phsyiotherapist on wednesday and the health centres practice nurse is keeping a close eye on the injury.

Excuse the spelling, th web browser text disolay is very light gray on cream and the contrast is VERY poor.
Many thanks for your help

Many thanks, for your help

It is improving slowly, rest particularly with my leg raised and mild exersize appeasr to be helping. All of the area of damaged skin has a scab formed over it. So this is an improvement. I am seeing the practice nurse and a physotherpaist one wednesday and am looking forward to what the say. I am not getting alot of information out of the local doctor which I am unhappy about, but sadly the nearest sports medicen centre os over 200 kilometres away. I believe it will be OK though. I can defientely feel an improvement it usually takes a few days to feel though. I of course will keep a close eye out for any change and for this I am seeing the practice nurse on a regular basis Soft tissue inhuries such as this appear to take a long time to heal..

Post script to the above reply.
A thing that I think is good news, is in the morning after a nights rest its starting to feel very good. It would take around half an hour or more to tighten up, but I noticed this morning comming back from getting from the shops the leg is now less sensitive to large vibrations (going over a cattle grid)

Many thanks for your help. I am surprised at the level of support its most appreciated. I live in a relatively remote area and its not to easy getting good advice. I have have found for soft tissue injuries the ideal is to see a sports medical doctor and if this persists to long I will go and see them. It is a 450 kilometre trip though.

I will let you know how I go on wednesday, the physio is excellent, I am sure she will know what to do.

I saw the phsyio to day, she suggested a program which using exercises, rest and using a tubal bandage called "tubigrip". This turned out to be excellent advice a trila use of the Tubigrip was simply mazing, the knee joint feeling perfect. A small problam is my left hand was injured also and I cannot fit on my own. I live alone in an isolated setting so I am going to have work a way around this. If I just use normal rest of the leg accomanied with suitable exersize will the swelling go down of its own accord. 2 weeks rest on the hand will likel render it usefull. Is there a problem in leaving the swelling that long. I may be able to figure out a way of putting a pressure bandage on. I will give that a go.
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I have figured out how handle everything on my own. Instead of any kind of bandage I have used an old very long large sock with the foot cutoff over the knee joint while traveling, this makes the knee completely comfortable but applies little pressure. I have temporrarily strapped my left hand, this has largely eliminated any pain when this hand is used.
I understand from what you said the swelling will go down of its own accord and is not a long term problem, say from infection.
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I was amazed of the great effect the small amount of pressure had. I am now using "Tubigrip" size G as this uses a lower pressure than thew sock. I will have to be care full as the injury is still healing not to do to much.

Many thanks for your help is been most sppreciated. I would like to let you know how I go with this but how on this system can I get in touch when the discusion is closed.
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