Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/550625
chifranciscan.org /// HIGHLINE MEDICAL CENTER 9 STAYING OUT OF THE OPERATING ROOM Many patients are able to fi nd relief from knee pain through simple, conservative measures. For the fi rst step in treating knee pain, Cummings recommends following the RICE regimen: > Rest. Your injury will need time to heal. Keep off the knee as much as possible and stay off the fi eld until you feel better. > Ice. The cooling effect of ice reduces pain and infl ammation. Hold a cold pack in a moist towel on the injury for 20 minutes at a time, breaking up each interval by at least 20 minutes to protect your skin. > Compression. A compression wrap around your injured knee can decrease swelling. Speak with a physical therapist, athletic trainer or orthopedist about proper wrapping, and remove the bandages at night. > Elevation. Prop your leg up to accelerate the healing process in your knee. For best results, lie down while elevating your leg to make sure your knee is above your heart. By using the RICE method over time, you may see signifi cant improvements that allow you to enjoy athletics once again. However, some patients require extra help. Other options for nonsurgical treatment include: > Physical and/or massage therapy. Your provider can refer you to a physical therapist who can work with your injured joint to build strength and regain functionality. Sports massage therapy can also be used to reduce stress levels and speed healing. > Steroid shots. If you have knee pain caused by arthritis, you may consider corticosteroid shots. These injections relieve pain but do not improve your arthritis. They also may erode cartilage over time, so you will only be able to receive a limited number of treatments. If you have an otherwise healthy, non-arthritic joint, talk with your physician about the risk factors of getting a steroid shot. > Viscosupplements. Another option for arthritic knee pain is an injection of hyaluronic acid, or viscosupplementation. A natural lubricant found in all your joints, hyaluronic acid can break down over time. These injections replace the hyaluronic acid to improve joint fl exibility and reduce pain. > Pain management. Whether for a traumatic joint injury, arthritis pain or a repetitive stress injury, over-the-counter infl ammation reducers such as ibuprofen can limit swelling and decrease discomfort. Talk with your physician about prescription pain medications that also offer short-term relief. Don't let knee pain hold you back. For a referral to a specialist at CHI Franciscan, call 1-888-825-3227 or visit chifranciscan.org/SOS. KNEE HELP NEARBY Persistent knee pain is a sign that there is a problem and that you need to be seen by a medical professional. If your discomfort is keeping you from enjoying the sport you love or from other daily activities, your provider can help you find the treatments that work best for your problems. "We have five physicians who practice sports medicine, so we are able to provide for virtually all facets of sports health care in one office," said Alan Barronian, MD, orthopedic surgeon at Proliance Southwest Seattle Orthopedics. "Many of our patients are worried that if they come in for an evaluation, they will have to have surgery or that there's no treatment for their problem. There's virtually always treatment available, many times not requiring surgery. At Proliance Southwest Seattle Orthopedics, we are proud to have a staff of highly qualified sports medicine professionals available to help you." For more information, or for a referral close to home, call 1-888-825-3227 or visit chifranciscan.org. ALAN BARRONIAN, MD chifranciscan.org /// HIGHLINE MEDICAL CENTER 9