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Suggest Treatment For Knee Bone Injury

Posted on Thu, 13 Feb 2014

Question: Am asking how I should treat bone bruising or a fine fracture in my knee. It seems to have occurred after a fall. I am 82 years old

Answered by Dr. K. Naga Ravi Prasad (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: Adequate rest is necessary. Detailed Answer: Hi, thanks for writing to XXXXXXX I personally feel that there is no rationale/role for self treatment or home remedies in case of a bony injury (either a bone bruise or a fine fracture). The severity of injury to the bone has to be established by an orthopedic surgeon after having xrays for the injured part and has to be treated accordingly. Generally, either a bone bruise or a fine fracture will be treated on a conservative (non operative means) basis with STRICT NON WEIGHT BEARING on the injured leg for atleast 4-6 weeks (however, the exact time depends on the fracture pattern). This is the minimum amount of time that takes for the bone to heal completely to achieve its preinjury status, in case of lower limb. In case of a fine fracture, the involved limb has to be given external support in the form of a BRACE or POP (plaster of paris) CAST, till the fracture unites. It is also advisable to use a walking frame or a crutch for a few weeks to avoid any further fall/injury. Daily regular calcium supplementation (minimum 1500mg/day) is necessary for your age group to hasten the bone healing process. Hope I have addressed your query. Happy to help further Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. K. Naga Ravi Prasad (1 hour later)

Thank you for your reply. I have asked your advice on behalf of my husband and fortunately it seems to have re-assured him. A long time to be resting ! .Should he be taking pain killers as he seems to be in pain and should he have his leg ellevated ?

Answered by Dr. K. Naga Ravi Prasad (4 hours later)

Brief Answer: Yeah, rest is a must. Detailed Answer: Hi, Nice to hear from you. Your husband definitely needs some form of rest to recuperate. Generally, healing process is a bit slower in elderly age groups when compared to young ages. So, he needs all sorts of dietary/nutritional supplementation to hasten the healing process. Definitely, pain killers are to be taken as and when necessary but not regularly, as they tend to produce several adverse effects on long term usage. Consultation with a physician is necessary to get prescribed which analgesic best suits your husband without producing any serious untoward effects. Elevation of leg is necessary, only when there is swelling of the ankle and foot in the injured extremity. Otherwise limb elevation has got no role. Hope I have justified your query. I welcome any more clarification Good day

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar