How to Heal Knee Cartilage

GluzoJoint-F™ Capsules 

Knee cartilage injuries are common, especially among athletes, avid exercisers, and people who perform heavy labor for work. There is no way to truly heal the cartilage in the knee after it’s been injured. However, a combination of immediate rest and long-term exercise and physical therapy can help restore knee mobility. Severe injuries may need surgical intervention as a last resort.

Method1

EditCaring for Your Knee Immediately After Injury

1. 
   1
   Make a doctor’s appointment as soon as possible. Whether minor or serious, a knee injury should always be evaluated by a doctor. Make an appointment to see your doctor as soon as possible after your injury. If they cannot accommodate you within 2-3 days after your injury or if your knee pain cannot be managed at home, go to an urgent care facility.^[1]
2. 
   2
   Rest your knee for up to 72 hours. If you have injured your knee in any way, you should rest it and keep all weight off of it for 48-72 hours. If possible, try to restrict yourself to home rest. If you do need to move around, use crutches to help you keep weight off your injured knee.^[2]

   • Staying off your knee for too long may also be harmful, so it’s important to see a doctor in those first 3 days of your injury. This way, your doctor can help you find the right exercise to help restore your knee mobility.
3. 
   3
   Use ice packs for 20 minutes at a time throughout the day. Ice packs and commercial cold compresses can help reduce overall swelling and pain. To make an ice pack, wrap a handful of ice in a clean towel, and apply it directly to the injured knee. Hold the pack in place for 20 minutes at a time. Repeat the process as necessary throughout the day.^[3]

   • You can also use a bag of frozen vegetables, like frozen peas, to ice your knee.
   • Allow your knee to rest for at least 30 minutes between every icing.
4. 
   4
   Elevate your knee above your heart. Elevating your injured knee can help reduce swelling and bruising. Sit back in a comfortable position or lay down. Use pillows and blankets as props to help get your knee above the level of your heart.^[4]

   • Your leg should be elevated as much as possible for the first 48-72 hours. After that, elevate it whenever you notice swelling around your knee.
5. 
   5
   Wrap your knee with a compression bandage. Use a compression bandage on your injured knee to help minimize swelling and blood loss. You can buy a compression sleeve meant specifically for the knee at many pharmacies and big box stores, as well as online. You can also use a compression wrap, which some people find more comfortable and effective.^[5]

   • If you opt for a compression wrap, ask your doctor or nurse to show you how to properly wrap your knee. They can teach you the most effective way to wrap your knee and help you find a comfortable fit for your bandage.
6. 
   6
   Take an over-the-counter painkiller to manage pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) like aspirin and ibuprofen are available over-the-counter from most pharmacies and drug stores. Taken as directed on the bottle, these medications can help manage pain and reduce overall swelling.^[6]

   • Be sure to talk to your doctor about potential interactions before you start any new medication if you are currently taking a prescription drug.
   • If NSAIDs fail to help you manage your pain, talk to your doctor. They may be able to prescribe a stronger painkiller or suggest alternative treatment.

Method2

EditGetting Medical Help

1. 
   1
   See a physical therapist to help restore knee mobility. Minor and moderate cartilage damage can often be treated with the help of a physical therapist. Talk to your doctor to get recommendations for therapists in your area. You can also ask your HR person or your insurance provider to find a physical therapist covered by your healthcare plan. A physical therapist can help you build the muscle supporting your joint so that you can move your knee more comfortably.^[7]

   • Physical therapy may be necessary for a few weeks to several months depending upon the nature of your injury.
   • Physical therapy may also be necessary after surgery if you have a more severe knee injury.
   • Talk to your insurance provider about how many visits with a physical therapist are covered under your plan.
2. 
   2
   Talk to your doctor about surgery to treat severe knee injuries. Severe knee injuries and injuries that don’t heal with physical therapy and home treatment may require surgical intervention. Depending on the nature of your injury, you may need surgeries such as a partial meniscectomy or a total meniscus repair.^[8]

   • A partial meniscectomy trims away some of the damaged tissue. A meniscus repair involves stitching the torn pieces back together.
   • To determine if you are a good candidate for surgery, your doctor may do some initial tests and imaging, including x-rays. From there, they would recommend you to a surgeon in your area that can properly assess and treat your knee.

Method3

EditProviding Long-term Care

1. 
   1
   Use low-impact exercises to strengthen your knee. Continued exercise can help maintain long-term knee health after the cartilage has been injured. Low impact exercises such as walking, biking, and swimming can help keep your knee strong and return mobility.^[9]

   • Your doctor or your physical therapist can help you figure out specific exercises and stretches to help you regain knee mobility.
   • High-impact exercises, such as basketball or endurance running, can injure your knee more over an extended period of time. Try to avoid higher impact exercises and sports. Also, avoid running on hard surfaces like roads, which can lead to further knee injury.^[10]
2. 
   2
   See your doctor if you have any unprompted knee pain. If you’ve had a moderate or severe knee injury, you are at a higher risk for developing osteoarthritis. This is especially true if you do high impact sports. See your doctor about any unexpected or sudden pain in your knee. Your doctor will be able to help you determine the cause of your pain and recommend a preventative care plan.^[11]
3. 
   3
   Maintain a healthy body weight. Carrying excess weight can put excess stress on your knees. Maintaining a healthy body weight through a healthy diet and moderate exercise will help prevent undue stress on your knee. This, in turn, will help prevent painful stress on your knee.

   • If you are struggling to maintain a healthy weight under your current diet and exercise plan, talk to your doctor. They can help you find the right combination of exercise, nutrition, and medical assistance.