The causes of knee swelling in a bicycle fall include soft tissue injuries, ligament damage, and localized fractures. Different treatments should be chosen according to different conditions, and the treatments include physical therapy, medication, and surgery.
1. Soft tissue injuries: soft tissue injuries may cause local bleeding and swelling, you can elevate the affected limb to accelerate blood circulation and eliminate swelling. Cold compresses can be applied within 72 hours to constrict blood vessels, and after 72 hours, hot compresses can be applied to accelerate absorption. Physical therapy can also be applied to accelerate the elimination of swelling, and non-steroidal drugs such as ibuprofen can be used to reduce inflammation and analgesia if the pain is severe.
2. Ligament damage: After a fall, the ligaments in the knee area may be damaged to different degrees with the bump. Ligament injuries can cause localized bleeding to pool in the knee area, triggering swelling. If the collateral ligament is mildly damaged, it can be treated conservatively with cast immobilization. If the ligament is torn or ruptured, ligament reconstruction surgery is needed to restore the function of the ligament and eliminate swelling.
3. Localized fracture: If the swelling of the knee is accompanied by localized fracture, it can be treated conservatively with cast immobilization if the situation is not serious. If the bone is displaced, surgical treatment should be carried out, and then plaster fixation should be carried out after reset, and after 4~6 months’ recovery period, sports can be resumed gradually.
Therefore, it is recommended to go to the hospital for timely examination of knee swelling after a fall on a bicycle, and choose the appropriate treatment measures according to their own situation under the advice of the doctor.