Knee Injury: Persistent Swelling and Pain a Week Later
Hello everyone! I’m a 25-year-old woman currently on sertraline for managing anxiety and using paracetamol and ibuprofen to alleviate pain from an injury. Recently, I suffered an injury to the soft tissue in my right knee during a grappling session in a combat sport called Buhurt. While grappling, my opponent inadvertently pushed me back, leading to this unfortunate incident. I visited the emergency department the following day, where doctors diagnosed a ligament injury that supports my knee. Since then, I've been using a leg brace and crutches, and I am scheduled for an appointment with the orthopaedic department in two weeks. Additionally, I’ve been signed off from my job in childcare for a week due to the injury's impact on my mobility. However, I’m concerned as the swelling around my knee hasn’t decreased at all since the injury last Saturday, and now that it's Thursday, I wonder whether this is something I should expect. The pain around the knee persists even when I’m not moving it, which adds to my worries. I’ll confess to a slight lapse in judgment on Tuesday when I tried to bake to keep myself occupied. I neglected to rely heavily on my crutches and instead wore the leg brace throughout the process. Although I was informed that bearing weight was acceptable, I might have pushed myself too hard. Should I reach out to my GP about the ongoing swelling and pain, or is it common for ligament injuries to take some time to heal, causing swelling and discomfort even with limited activity? Thank you in advance for any insights!
Answers (1)
7/10/2025, 9:50:43 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you’re dealing with some persistent symptoms following your knee injury, and it’s completely understandable to be concerned about the swelling and pain. While it’s normal for ligament injuries to result in swelling and some discomfort, the lack of improvement after a week could indicate that you need to take a closer look at your situation.
Explanation:
Ligament injuries often result in swelling due to inflammation and fluid buildup, and recovery can indeed be gradual. It's common to continue experiencing some pain and swelling for days or even weeks after the injury, especially with activities that might put strain on the knee. However, the fact that your swelling hasn't decreased and pain persists even at rest suggests that you may need to adjust your management of the injury.
Next Steps:
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Rest and Immobilization: Continue using the leg brace and allow your knee to rest as much as possible. Minimize any weight-bearing activity until you can consult with your orthopaedic appointment.
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Ice Therapy: Apply ice packs wrapped in a cloth to your knee for 15-20 minutes every 2-3 hours. This can help reduce swelling and numb the pain. Make sure to allow your skin to return to normal temperature between sessions to avoid frostbite.
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Elevate Your Knee: When sitting or lying down, keep your knee elevated on pillows. This helps reduce swelling by promoting fluid drainage.
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Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of your pain level and any changes in swelling, especially if it worsens or if you experience any new symptoms such as increased heat, redness, or inability to move the knee.
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Medication Review: Continued use of paracetamol and ibuprofen is fine, but ensure you're following the recommended doses. If pain persists, take note of this for your orthopaedic appointment.
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Contact Your GP: If the swelling does not reduce in the next few days, or if you experience worsening pain, consider contacting your GP for advice before your scheduled appointment. They may offer further evaluation or treatment suggestions.
Your recovery can take time, and it's important to be gentle with yourself while healing. Don't hesitate to reach out to healthcare professionals if things seem to be getting worse, as they can provide the best guidance tailored to your situation.
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