Knee injury

Dear Ask The Doctor: I had an accident yesterday and I injured the area around my knee. I went to the er because of the swelling,pain and bruising and they took xrays and nothing was broken.They said it could be deep tissue contusion and I should follow up with an ortho. I've been keeping it elevated, icing it and using a cane when I walk.Taking Aleve for the pain.Should I worry about blood clots or anything like that at this point?

Dear Sarita: Direct blows to the knee may produce injury of the ligaments, menisci, bones or capsule, but if there is no significant swelling or deformity, and no limitation on the active movements (flexion, extension), a fracture or dislocation can be ruled out. Also if there is no instability or locking a menisci lesion may be ruled out.The suggested strategy for the initial treatment includes: use of local ice, rest, elevation of the leg, anti-inflammatory drugs (as “advil”, “motrin”) and the use of a knee immobilizer. If all these directions are followed, then the normal function should return in few days, but if the pain, swelling and limitation on the movements persist an Orthopedic Surgeon must re-evaluate the injured knee. Try to do, as often as you can, series of contractions of the quad while you have the leg in elevated position, and also flexion-extension of the ankle-foot, this way you will keep active the muscles of leg and calf and you will minimize the occurrance of a deep venous thrombosis.