Question
hi. my name is omar and i am from an eastern country philippines. i would just like to ask what step should i take for the left leg swelling that i have for months now. the exact area of the swelling is on lateral meniscus or im thinking probably at the lateral collateral ligament just below the femur. im not exactly sure if that is the correct location because i just actually based the area on the pictures of the knee here on the internet but im pretty sure i am experiencing a lot of pain in that area. i've taken several corrective actions such as P.R.I.C.E that is recommended for this kind of condition. i took medicines that relieved the pain and hoped could reduce the swelling but nothing made it lesser of what it is today. i am planning to have it scanned through MRI and i hope i can figure out the exact problem im experiencing. the feeling is really painful right now and i can feel as well that ive become too much of a drug dependent. i hope you can help me out with this one. i really would like to get back on my normal physical life. my upper left thigh actually atrophied already because its not worked out for months now. so im really looking forward to your advice with this problem. thank you so much.

Answer
Kinesio, kinsesio tape, Staten Island Kinesio, P.R.I.C.E., knee pain,
swelling, knee swelling, lateral meniscus, lateral collateral, atrophy,

Hello Omar,

Sorry to hear of your longstanding knee pain.

How did you injure the knee?  Football, soccer, some sport?, Fall, trip, twist to the knee?  Did you start PRICE treatment IMMEDIATELY?

I utilize an information handout in my Staten Island Chiropractic office on P.R.I.C.E. :

P.R.I.C.E. =    P  protection.   R rest.   I  ice.   
C  compression.   E  elevation.

Hurt  yourself ??  injury/ trauma/  bruise/ not even sure - - a broken bone ??

You should certainly get to the Doctor or trained health professional to be examined  if you think it  is  bad  enough.     BUT  in  the  meantime,  some  simple  steps  may  help.   PRICE.

The  PRICE  protocol will usually help just about any musculoskeletal injury.

P = Protection;  protect the area from further injury- stop what you are doing, can you pad  or bandage the area ? Tape the area? Do something to protect the area !

R = Rest;  rest the area as much as possible, if a part is damaged, give the body time to repair the area

I = Ice;  ice is a potent anti-inflammatory; it will slow swelling, help with pain control (ice is analgesic), place ice over cloth over the injured area for 5, 10 minutes, off the injured area for 30 minutes; then back on again

C = Compression;  to help prevent swelling compression may be helpful- for example if it is an ankle, wrap the ankle with an ace bandage and ice the area.  Many body parts may not be applicable to compression.

E = Elevation; again to fight swelling and pain, raising the injured body part above the heart may be helpful- ie raise an ankle or knee, you lay down, raise the injured part

PRICE  may  help :    Sprains,  Strains,  musculo-skeletal injury,  bruise,  contusion

Sometimes  a slip, trip, fall, heavy lift, athletic injury, or a motor vehicle accident can cause a bump or bruise, sprain or strain.  Sometimes also involved with the injury is a vertebral subluxation (or other joint subluxation) (subluxation is a mechanical problem- of any joint- and requires a mechanical correction).  In the spine, a sprain/strain  is a misalignment,  a 慿ink?in the joint, a stretch of the muscles, tendons and/ or ligaments:- more properly termed a Vertebral Subluxation.   Sometimes symptoms can come immediately, sometimes days, weeks or even months later!- Well after the actual trauma !!!

         Spinal = Vertebral   Subluxation   Complex    (a.k.a.  憇ubluxation?  ;   ( subluxation COULD be any joint )
The vertebral subluxation complex is the underlying cause of many healthcare problems.

A  subluxation  interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system  (the master system  which controls and coordinates all function within the body)  and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.

This is a serious condition identified by its five parts:

    Spinal Kinesiopathology:
         This is fancy way of saying the bones of the spine have lost their normal motion and position. It restricts your ability to turn and bend. It sets in motion the other four components.

    Neuropathophysiology:
         Improper spinal function can choke, stretch, or irritate delicate nerve tissue. The resulting nerve system dysfunction can cause symptoms elsewhere in the body.

    Myopathology:
          Muscles supporting the spine can weaken, atrophy, or become tight and go into spasm. The resulting scar tissue changes muscle tone, requiring repeated spinal adjustments.

    Histopathology:
         A rise in temperature from an increase in blood and lymph supplies result in swelling and inflammation. Discs can bulge, herniate, tear, or degenerate. Other soft tissues may suffer permanent damage.

    Pathophysiology:
         Bone spurs and other abnormal bony growths attempt to fuse malfunctioning spinal joints. This spinal decay, scar tissue, and long-term nerve dysfunction can cause other systems of the body to malfunction.

The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position.
         Automobile accidents, improper lifting, improper posture, alcohol, emotional stress, chemical imbalances, and long periods of sitting can cause the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
          Vertebral  Subluxation  cannot be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching, yoga, vitamins or physical therapy alone.  Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular- mechanical- problem requires a mechanical correction-  -  -    a manipulation,     best performed with the chiropractic adjustment.  For good health- Treat the   Cause,  not just the Symptoms.  Sprain/ strain/ bump/ bruise?= may result in subluxation of the nearby joint.  CORRECT the subluxation !!!!

Dr. Victor E. Dolan,   Doctor of Chiropractic;   Diplomat, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians; Diplomat, American Academy of Pain Management;  Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN); FIRST  Chief of Chiropractic  in  a  Hospital  in  New York State (DHSI);  As  Seen  in  PREVENTION  Magazine

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Hopefully this handout approximates your PRICE protocol.

You say your selling/ pain has been for MONTHS now.  What professionals have you seen?  I recommend an Orthopedic MD, Orthopedic or Sports DC.  You NEED to be seen by a health professional.  You NEED to have an Xray, MRI.  Atrophy????- you NEED proper attention.

Along with the PRICE protocol (but, price is best applied in NEWER, acute problems), if you came to my Staten Island office, I would evaluate you in person, probably Xray, and MRI you.  Then, if appropriate (surgery not necessary), my approach would include physiotherapy, exercise, nutrition, and kinesiotape support taping.

If appropriate, I would utilize ultrasound, infrasound, interferential, muscle stim on your knee.  We may progress to exercise such as tubing, an exercise bike and wobble (balance) board.
Throughout the process I would recommend anti-inflammatory nutrition:
proteolytic enzymes, omega 3 essential fatty acids, Vitamin C with bioflavanoids, Calcium, Magnesium, Glucosamine, Chondroitin- for joint repair.  I may utilize a brace, perhaps kinesio tape support.

You injured your knee.  You have swelling, pain, and even ATROPHY.
You need attention if you want to repair this.

You NEED attention when your knee is swollen and painful for MONTHS.
You may need surgery.  IF surgery is needed, the regimen above may be somewhat appropriate in the aftercare rehab regimen.

I wish you luck, and Good Health Naturally.  Your condition, because of its longevity is going to take time to correct.  Thank you for the question, your Staten Island Chiropractor friend signing off,

Dr. Victor Dolan, DC
http://drvictordolan.chiroweb.com      (email newsletter)