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What Causes Painful Swelling After Knee Injury?

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Posted on Thu, 12 Mar 2015
Question: I had a fall on an icy driveway this morning and hit my knee straight-on. It's very tender and sore, and it has swelled, though I placed an icepack on it this morning (4 hours ago). Any advice going forward?
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Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (54 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Ice elevate and rest

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for contacting HCM with your health care concern.

I am sorry to hear that you injured yourself this morning. You describe a slip and fall direct onto the knee. You immediately stopped and placed ice on the knee but it has swollen. This is to be expected after a significant fall as you described. I recommend that you continue to use ice today. I may also recommend if possible to visit an urgent care center or your doctor so they can get x-rays of the knee. From a fall you may have fractured the patella. A fractured patella is usually treated with rest and a knee immobilizer. For the pain I recommend using Tylenol or ibuprofen

In summary
1. rest with ice and elevation
2. Seek medical attention for x-ray of the knee to rule out fractured patella
3. For pain use Tylenol or ibuprofen.
Note: For further follow-up it is advisable to consult an emergency medicine specialist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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Answered by
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Dr. Ronald Schubert

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1984

Answered : 2407 Questions

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What Causes Painful Swelling After Knee Injury?

Brief Answer: Ice elevate and rest Detailed Answer: Thanks for contacting HCM with your health care concern. I am sorry to hear that you injured yourself this morning. You describe a slip and fall direct onto the knee. You immediately stopped and placed ice on the knee but it has swollen. This is to be expected after a significant fall as you described. I recommend that you continue to use ice today. I may also recommend if possible to visit an urgent care center or your doctor so they can get x-rays of the knee. From a fall you may have fractured the patella. A fractured patella is usually treated with rest and a knee immobilizer. For the pain I recommend using Tylenol or ibuprofen In summary 1. rest with ice and elevation 2. Seek medical attention for x-ray of the knee to rule out fractured patella 3. For pain use Tylenol or ibuprofen.