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Knee Injury, Warm, Swelling. Applied Ice, Taken Advil, Kept Elevated. Do I Need To See A Doctor?
I am a 49 yr old woman. Three days ago, I accidentally banged my leg just above the knee. That evening, it became very warm and began to swell. I've been icing and elevating it, and using 800 mg Advil, but it's still swollen above the knee as well as to the inside of the kneecap. It isn't terribly sore except for after I've been walking (I still need to do certain things!) and it swells more. Do I need to see a doctor at this point, or just continue what I've been doing, or add heat therapy?
posted on
Mon, 8 Apr 2013
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Mon, 8 Apr 2013
Answered on
Tue, 9 Apr 2013
Last reviewed on
Hello madam, you continue with Advil for 2-3 days more and ice therapy but you need to see a doctor if have any injury in the quadriceps muscle as during walking it is one of the very important muscle and it seems to me you must have got hurt in that particular muscle as the swelling increases on walking and also the site suggests the same. Continue with compression bandage also
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Hi and welcome to HCM!
Thanks for posting your query here.
Swelling above the knee and to the kneecap shows fluid collection in the kneejoint space. After 40 years of age especially in females there are maximum changes of fractures. It is because of low calcium in the blood after menopause.
The swelling could be because lower end fracture of femur, or patella fracture, or any ligament tear. Its time to see the orthopedic doctor. All these things can be diagnosed by taking a simple x-ray of the knee. Make an appointment as soon as possible because its already 3 days delayed.
In the mean time you can continue with Advil and elevating the leg. Hot fomentation and no message will give some relief to you. Please avoid walking, bending on the knee, sitting down. These works will cause more damage to the knee.
Hope this is helpful to you.
Thankyou
Thanks for posting your query here.
Swelling above the knee and to the kneecap shows fluid collection in the kneejoint space. After 40 years of age especially in females there are maximum changes of fractures. It is because of low calcium in the blood after menopause.
The swelling could be because lower end fracture of femur, or patella fracture, or any ligament tear. Its time to see the orthopedic doctor. All these things can be diagnosed by taking a simple x-ray of the knee. Make an appointment as soon as possible because its already 3 days delayed.
In the mean time you can continue with Advil and elevating the leg. Hot fomentation and no message will give some relief to you. Please avoid walking, bending on the knee, sitting down. These works will cause more damage to the knee.
Hope this is helpful to you.
Thankyou
I find this answer helpful
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