Treatments for nerve damage in the knee depend on the cause of the nerve damage. In many cases, the damage is caused by some sort of trauma or daily habit that puts excess pressure on the nerve or nerves that service the area. Identifying the cause can help a sufferer come up with an effective plan for reducing pain and swelling and restoring mobility and strength to the affected knee. Such a plan should be developed with the assistance of a doctor or other medical professional. Medications can be prescribed to help relieve pain and reduce swelling.
In many cases of nerve damage in the knee, mobility exercises combined with anti-inflammatory medications or steroids can help alleviate pain and repair damage to the nerve. Very often, nerve damage is caused by some sort of compression that results from a daily habit or injury. Crossing one's legs frequently, for example, can cause compression on the nerve. Sciatica can lead to nerve pain in the knee as well, and compression on the sciatic nerve can occur anywhere from the lower back down to the lower leg. Identifying where the compression is taking place can help alleviate damage due to sciatica, and an examination of the lower back and the legs will probably be in order.
If the nerve damage is causing chronic neurological issues, such as a loss of control of the knee or leg, a medical professional may recommend surgery. This is generally considered a last resort, as surgery can be invasive and lead to other problems. There is further no guarantee that the surgery will fix the neurological issue. Surgery can, however, relieve compression on the nerve in many cases, so it is considered an option for treating nerve damage in the knee.
Tumors or other growths can also cause compression on the nerve, leading to pain and damage to the nerve itself. In such a case, the tumor may need to be removed to alleviate the pain and begin to repair the damage. Other medical conditions can also cause compression that leads to nerve damage; arthritis can lead to swelling of the joint, for example. Other conditions that cause swelling can lead to compression as well, and a healthcare provider will more than likely recommend treating the illness that is causing the swelling or inflammation to help treat the nerve damage.
