Sports Injury Info

Question - Meniscus Injury and RICE (duration)

by Larissa
(Scotland, UK)

Hi, I just read your article on RICE, which makes a lot of sense and is great advice. But I am wondering for how long these principles should be applied for.

I injured my knee on Monday night and have been applying the RICE principles since. Still, today (Wednesday) my knee is actually slightly more swollen, especially just above the knee joint.

At the hospital I was told that this can happen with meniscus injuries. I will keep following RICE but would like to know, for how many days/weeks it should be applied.

Until the swelling stops?
Until the swelling is gone?

And after that, is there anything I can do to aid recovery?

Thank you for your help.

Kind regards, Larissa

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Question - Meniscus Injury and RICE (duration)

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Jun 22, 2008
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starstarstarstarstar 		2-3 weeks
by: Bart - SII

Your knee is more swollen now because the body is still in an active inflammatory process. This lasts for the first 10-14 days - this is when your body is producing swelling and moving fluid into the area to start preparing for the healing process. So, applying the R.I.C.E. principles for the first 2-3 weeks is a good idea - after this time frame, your swelling should decrease significantly, and then you should continue to use R.I.C.E. when you have pain, or when you have increases in swelling, or after activities.

Great questions! Comment back if you have others.
Jun 23, 2008
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starstarstarstarstar 		RICE and ultrasound treatment
by: Larissa Slaney

Dear Bart,
Thank you for answering my earlier question on meniscus injuries and the duration of RICE treatment. I have noticed that some websites recommend ultrasound treatment to aid a speedy recovery. I would like to know what you think of this and also at which stage during the recovery this should commence. Does it make sense to use ultrasound at the same time as RICE? As far as I understand, ultrasound increases blood flow, which RICE tries to avoid - which suggests that these treatments should be used at different stages of the recovery.
Also, I have read that collagen is needed for the tissue to heal. Is it possible to take collagen supplements??? Thanks again for all your help!!
Kind regards, Larissa Slaney

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