Falls are the leading cause of hospital visits for older adults, and knee injuries are a common result of these accidents. Anyone who’s suffered a knee injury knows that they’re extremely painful—not to mention frustrating. Recovery can take a long time, limiting your mobility and coming between you and activities you love to do.
Whether you’re dealing with a mild sprain or something more serious like a ligament tear, addressing knee pain promptly can make a significant difference in your recovery. From medical treatment to alternative therapies like acupuncture, there are a variety of ways to manage your knee pain and support healing.
Common Knee Injuries That Result From Falls
Slip and fall accidents often happen because of slippery or uneven surfaces. They can lead to several types of knee injuries, including:
- Sprains and strains: These involve damage to the soft tissues, such as ligaments or tendons.
- Torn ligaments: Injuries like ACL or MCL tears often happen when the knee twists awkwardly during a fall.
- Meniscus tears: The meniscus, a piece of cartilage that cushions the knee joint, is susceptible to injury during falls.
- Fractures: Severe falls can lead to broken bones in and around the knee.
If you’ve experienced a slip and fall accident, seeking medical attention is the first step to assessing the severity of your injury and determining an appropriate treatment plan.
Treatment Options For Knee Pain
Recovering from a knee injury requires a combination of rest, care, and movement. The following covers some common approaches:
Surgery
Severe injuries, such as ligament tears or fractures, may require surgical intervention. Surgery is typically considered when other treatment options are not sufficient.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can help restore strength and mobility once the initial pain and swelling have subsided. Exercises tailored to your injury can prevent stiffness and promote long-term recovery.
Medications And Injections
Over-the-counter pain relievers or anti-inflammatory medications may help manage pain and swelling. In some cases, doctors recommend corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation around the joint.
Incorporating Acupuncture Into Recovery
Acupuncture is an effective alternative therapy for managing pain and supporting recovery from knee injuries. By stimulating specific points in the body, acupuncture promotes circulation, reduces inflammation, and encourages the body’s natural healing processes.
For knee pain, acupuncture can help alleviate discomfort by targeting pressure points near the affected area and along related pathways. Many people find that regular sessions reduce pain and improve mobility, which makes it easier for them to fully engage in other treatments like physical therapy.
Acupuncture is especially useful for addressing chronic pain or stiffness that lingers after the initial injury has healed. It’s a natural, drug-free option that complements traditional medical treatments.
Seek Help After A Slip And Fall
In addition to managing your knee injury, it’s important to address the circumstances that led to your fall. Attorneys like our friends at Tuttle Larsen, P.A. can attest that property owners have a responsibility to maintain safe conditions. If negligence contributed to your accident, working with a premises liability lawyer at their firm can help you understand your rights and pursue compensation for medical expenses and other damages you’ve suffered due to your fall.
Once your case has been handled, you can devote your full focus to recovery. Combine typical treatments like physical therapy and medication with alternative options like acupuncture to promote effective pain relief and holistic healing.