Chronic Knee Pain, Adult

Knee pain that lasts longer than 3 months is called chronic knee pain. You may have pain in one or both knees. Symptoms of chronic knee pain may also include swelling and stiffness.

Many conditions can cause chronic knee pain. The most common cause is wear and tear of your knee joint as you get older.

• A disease that causes inflammation of the knee, such as rheumatoid arthritis. This usually affects both knees.
• A condition called inflammatory arthritis, such as gout.
• An injury to the knee that causes arthritis.
• An injury to the knee that damages the ligaments. Ligaments are tissues that connect bones to each other.
• Runner's knee or pain behind the kneecap.

• Doing exercises to help your knee move better and get stronger, called physical therapy.
• Losing weight if you are overweight.

This condition may also be treated with medicines, injections, a knee sleeve or brace, and by using crutches.

You health care provider may also recommend rest, ice, pressure (compression), and elevation, also called RICE therapy.

Follow these instructions at home:

If you have a knee sleeve or brace that can be taken off:

• Wear the knee sleeve or brace as told by your provider. Take it off only if your provider says that you can.
• Check the skin around it every day. Tell your provider if you see problems.
• Loosen the knee sleeve or brace if your toes tingle, are numb, or turn cold and blue.
• Keep the knee sleeve or brace clean and dry.

Bathing

• If the knee sleeve or brace is not waterproof:
  • Do not let it get wet.
  • Cover it when you take a bath or shower. Use a cover that does not let any water in.

Managing pain, stiffness, and swelling

• If told, put heat on the area. Do this as often as told. Use the heat source that your provider recommends, such as a moist heat pack or a heating pad.
  • If you have a knee sleeve or brace that you can take off, remove it as told.
  • Place a towel between your skin and the heat source.
  • Leave the heat on for 20–30 minutes.
• If told, put ice on the area.
  • If you have a knee sleeve or brace that you can take off, remove it as told.
  • Put ice in a plastic bag.
  • Place a towel between your skin and the bag.
  • Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2–3 times a day.
• If your skin turns bright red, remove the ice or heat right away to prevent skin damage. The risk of damage is higher if you cannot feel pain, heat, or cold.
• Move your toes often to reduce stiffness and swelling.
• Raise the injured area above the level of your heart while you are sitting or lying down. Use a pillow to support your foot as needed.

Activity

• Avoid activities where both feet leave the ground at the same time. Avoid running, jumping rope, and doing jumping jacks.
• Follow the exercise plan that your provider made for you. Your provider may suggest that you:
  • Avoid activities that make knee pain worse. This may mean that you need to change your exercise routines, sports, or job duties.
  • Wear shoes with cushioned soles.
  • Avoid sports that require running and sudden changes in direction.
  • Do physical therapy. Physical therapy helps your knee move better and get stronger. Exercise as told.
  • Do exercises that increase balance and strength, such as tai chi and yoga.
• Do not stand or walk on your injured knee until you're told it's okay. Use crutches as told.
• Return to normal activities when you're told. Ask what things are safe for you to do.

General instructions

• Take your medicines only as told by your provider.
• If you are overweight, work with your provider and an expert in healthy eating called a dietitian to set goals to lose weight. Losing even a little weight can reduce knee pain. Being overweight can make your knee hurt more.
• Do not smoke, vape, or use products with nicotine or tobacco in them. If you need help quitting, talk with your provider.
• Keep all follow-up visits. Your provider will monitor your pain and try other treatments if needed.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You have knee pain that is not getting better or gets worse.
• You are not able to do your exercises due to knee pain.

Get help right away if:

• Your knee swells and the swelling becomes worse.
• You cannot move your knee.
• You have severe knee pain.