The first question often faced following a knee injury is whether heat or ice should be applied to the injured area. Treatment for a knee injury depends on the type of injury incurred. Acute knee injuries such as those resulting from falls, direct blows, and knee twists should be treated with ice therapy. Chronic injuries which sets in gradually --- mostly due to biomechanical abnormalities or delayed healing of acute injuries --- should be treated with heat therapy.
Ice Therapy
In the case of acute injuries, care should be taken to stop any bleeding before you apply ice. Once the bleeding is controlled, you should administer ice therapy immediately and keep it on the injury for at least 20 minutes. You may use cold gel packs, frozen bagged vegetables, ice chips or cubes in a plastic bag, or ice massage. Never apply ice directly to bare skin -- always place a towel or other protective barrier between skin and ice. Ice therapy may be applied once every hour for three to five days until inflammation is reduced. Once inflammation is completely gone, ice and heat therapy can be alternatively applied.
Functionality
When swelling and inflammation occur due to knee injury, there is a greater possibility for blood leakage due to the rupture of the blood vessels. Cold therapy helps to contract the blood vessels thereby preventing further blood and serum leakage and also helps to minimize swelling and pain.
Heat Therapy
Usually pain may persist in the knee even after the elimination of inflammation and swelling caused by knee injury. Heat therapy produces long-lasting relief for persistent or chronic pain. Heat therapy may be applied in the form of hot bottles, heating pads or warm damp towels placed on the knee. Heat therapy should be applied for at least 15 minutes at a time, every hour. It also aids in reducing swelling.
Functionality
Knee injury causes blood vessels and tissues to contract. It also tightens the ligaments, muscles and tendons. Heat therapy loosens and relaxes the tissues that surround the knee. It also dilates the blood vessels and increases the flow of the oxygen into the blood vessels in the affected area. This enables healing to occur at a faster pace as well as regeneration of the damaged tissues. Pain reduction is the primary utility of heat therapy. It relieves stiffness, thereby facilitating greater flexibility of the ligaments, tendons and muscles.
