If you have an acute (sudden) anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, use the following first aid steps to reduce pain and swelling:

• Ice your knee. To avoid a freeze-burn, do not put the ice directly on your skin; put a cloth or towel between the ice and your knee.
• Elevate your knee while applying ice or any time you are sitting or lying down.
• Rest and reduce your activity level.
• Use crutches if it hurts to put weight on your knee, until you can see your health professional. Crutches can be rented from most pharmacies. When you call for an appointment, tell your health professional that you are using crutches. Crutches should not be used for long because a lack of activity can cause muscle tissue to waste away and result in restricted movement of the knee.
• Wrap your knee with an elastic bandage or neoprene sleeve with a hole for the kneecap (available at a pharmacy). This may help ease pain during movement and reduces fluid inside the knee. Don't wrap your knee too tightly, as this may cause swelling below the bandage. Loosen the bandage if it is too tight. Signs of an overly tight bandage include numbness, tingling, increased pain, and coolness in the foot.
• Take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce your pain.

After diagnosis of an ACL injury, your health professional may suggest exercises that help strengthen your leg and increase your range of motion. They may be the start of your nonsurgical treatment program or be used to help prepare your knee for surgery. For more information, see:

Pretreatment exercises for an ACL injury.

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