Many people experienced a minor knee problem at some time or another. In ordinary cases, the body movements do not cause problems, but it isn't surprising that pesky symptoms develop from everyday usage, overuse and an injury for instance a ruptured ligament or torn cartilage or certain health ailments such as arthritis, gout and infection that may be the root of your knee pain. Knee pain normally happen during sports or recreational activities, work-related tasks, or home projects. Luckily, minor cases of knee pain respond well to self-care remedies. But not in the case of more serious knee injuries like ruptured ligament or tendon as it may need surgical repair. Now, although every knee pain problem could be prevented especially for anyone who is physically active - they can take certain home care remedies to avoid the risk of knee injury or disease.

At Home Care Treatment

Many causes of knee problem, especially those related to overuse or physical activity, respond well to at home remedies:

* Rest. Rest reduces repetitive strain on your knee. In fact, it gives the injury time to heal and helps prevent further damage. You can take a break a day or two may be all that is needed for minor knee pain injuries. However, if you have a more serious knee pain, most likely you need longer recovery period.

* Icing. Ice reduces both pain and inflammation. Some sport doctors recommend applying ice to injured knee for about 20 to 30 minutes in four times a day. A bag of frozen peas works well because it covers your whole knee. You can also use an ice pack wrapped in thin fabric to protect your skin. Even though ice therapy is generally safe and effective, do not leave ice on longer than advised because of the risk of damage to your nerves and skin.

* Elevate your knee. Keep your knee elevated as much as possible as it help reduce swelling and drain away fluids that accumulate after a knee injury.

* Compression. Gently compress the knee by wearing an ace bandage or elastic sleeve. This help prevents fluid buildup in damaged tissues and maintains knee alignment and stability. Either can be purchased at most drug stores.

* Take a knee pain treatment or reliever for pain and swelling.

* Protection. The best method to protect your knee from further damage usually depends on the type and severity of your knee injury. For most minor knee pain injuries, a compression bandage is usually sufficient. While for more serious knee pain injuries, such as a torn ACL or high-grade collateral ligament sprain, typically require crutches and sometimes a brace to help stabilize the joint with weight bearing.

However, when self-care measures aren't enough to control knee pain and swelling and promote healing in an injured knee, your physician may advise other knee pain treatment options, including:

* Physical Therapy. The goal of physical therapy is to strengthen the muscles around your knee and help you regain stability. Depending on your knee problem, training is likely to focus on the muscles in the back and front of your thigh, and your calf, hip and ankle. Typically you can do some of the exercises at home. Others require the use of weight machines, treadmills, which may mean visits to an athletic or fitness center or clinic.

* Alleviate underlying medical conditions. If your knee pain is caused by other medical ailments such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout, your doctor will likely prescribe DMARDs (disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs) to help relieve those conditions.

* Surgery. Actually, there's no single best method to treat most knee pain injuries. Whether a surgical operation is ideal for you, it is still depend on many factors, such as: the risk of future injury or damage if you do not have a surgery; the type of injury and amount of damage to your knee; your lifestyle, including which sports you play; your willingness to modify your activities and sports.; and your motivation to work through rehabilitation to strengthen and stabilize your knee after surgery. Even if you have an injury that may require surgical treatment, it is usually not important to have the operation immediately. In most cases, you'll do better if you wait until the pain and swelling goes down and you regain strength and full range of motion in your knee. Now, before making any decisions, it is best to consider the pros and cons of both nonsurgical treatment and surgical reconstruction in relation to what is truly important to you. Remember, nonsurgical treatment isn't an option if you have cartilage damage that interferes with your range of motion or if the blood supply to your knee is severely damaged.

* Other knee pain treatment options. In recent years, numerous nonsurgical knee pain treatments that results from arthritis have been investigated or become available. Some are in the experimental stage and others are used routinely to control knee pain and inflammation. These are: Orthotics and bracing; Corticosteroid injections; Hyaluronic acid; and Topical knee painkillers such as ointment.

Knee Pain Prevention

Even if it is not always possible to prevent a knee pain or injury, the following tips may help forestall knee problems and joint deterioration:

* Increase the level of your physical activity slowly. For instance, when you try to exercising again, walk rather than run.

* Optimize your activity program. If you're involved in a sport or any activity on a daily basis, it is essential to have the best method possible so that proper movement patterns are trained.

* Make sure your footwear fit well. Obviously, a well-fitting shoe helps you maintain stability, therefore, choose a sport shoes that is appropriate for your sport. For example, running shoes are not designed for pivots and turns but tennis and racquetball shoes are.

* Maintain a healthy weight. Keeping an extra pound off is the best thing you can do for your knees. Every extra pound puts additional strain on your joints, increasing the risk of ligament and tendon injuries and even osteoarthritis.

* Always listen to your body. If your knees hurt, or you feel tired, do not be a hero - take a break. You are much more likely to injure yourself when you are forcing yourself.

Bottom line: Knee pain is extremely common. Treatment for a knee problem or injury may always include first aid measures, rest, bracing, physical therapy, medicine and sometimes surgery. Treatment depends on the location, type and severity of the injury as well as your age, health condition and activity level such as work, sports and hobbies. So always check your symptoms and consult your doctor immediately if it doesn't get better after 24 hours of home care treatment.