Knee: Heat or Cold?

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Lize11e
Lize11e Posts: 419
edited January 4 in Fitness and Exercise
The obvious answer is "cold" and that is what I've always used. I have arthritis in both knees (and elsewhere) and heat just feels so good to my body when it's cold and raining like it is today. I was just wondering if a heat wrap around my achey, cold knee would help on top of feeling amazing or would it just make it worse in the long run?

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  • fairestthings
    fairestthings Posts: 335 Member
    When I injured BOTH knees (from overuse) my doctor told me to switch from cold to hot for 15-minute intervals. I'm not sure how bad your knee is, but what I'd do is use heat first for 10-15 minutes then immediately switch to cold for 10-15 minutes whilst elevated.

    Arthritis may be different though.
  • Erienneb
    Erienneb Posts: 592 Member
    Heat and Cold have different effects. Heat is going to loosen everything up, so if your knee is swollen or you need to walk on it, it might provide temporary relief, but can cause more damage if you walk on it right away.
    I have tendinitis in my knee and I find that while heat feels better, cold works better. Ask your dr though, I have no idea how arthritis effects it.
  • ravengirl1611
    ravengirl1611 Posts: 285 Member
    When I injured BOTH knees (from overuse) my doctor told me to switch from cold to hot for 15-minute intervals. I'm not sure how bad your knee is, but what I'd do is use heat first for 10-15 minutes then immediately switch to cold for 10-15 minutes whilst elevated.

    Arthritis may be different though.

    as a general rule this is the one that rocks the best - for me personally - heat on wet, damp, rainy or just cold days - its about the only thing that gets the knees to function at anything remotely close to pain-free (hot bath is best!!!) - cold only when they swell
  • Lize11e
    Lize11e Posts: 419
    Thank you all for your input. You pretty much confirmed what I was thinking! :bigsmile: Warmth for me today =)
  • fairestthings
    fairestthings Posts: 335 Member
    And if it fails, then you know it doesn't work for you! LOL At least you'll be warm though ;-)
  • ilovedeadlifts
    ilovedeadlifts Posts: 2,923 Member
    I always wear knee sleeves with some type of liniment on my knees when I'm doing any lower body excercise.
    Pick up some tiger balm, put it on your knees, then put the sleeves on. They won't hurt.

    then ice after if you're into icing.
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