To know how much you should rest the knee, let pain be your guide. If you feel a lot of pain, stay off the knee as much as you can. Don't jump, walk up or down stairs, kneel, or do activities that cause pain. If your pain is mild, try swimming or other sports that don’t put as much stress on the knee. As the pain lessens, ease into your normal routine.

If the pain and swelling really bother you, try icing your knee for 10 to 15 minutes a few times a day. Also, over-the-counter medicine, such as ibuprofen, may help reduce swelling. Be sure to first ask your healthcare provider what kind of medicine to take. Medicine that contains aspirin should not be given to teens or children. Your healthcare provider can give you the details.

Your healthcare provider may give you a special knee strap to wear. It can ease some of the pressure on your knee. You can wear it when playing sports and even when just walking around. Wear the strap right below your kneecap but above the bump formed by the tibial tubercle. Padding can also help with irritation to the area.

Sometimes, resting your knee isn’t enough to make it better. You may need more medical treatment. Immobilization is treatment that keeps you from moving the knee. You may wear a brace or a cast for a few weeks. During that time, you’ll walk with crutches. Later, you’ll need to regain flexibility and strength in your knees and legs. You can then ease into your normal routine. But if your knee hurts, rest it until you feel better.

After a few weeks of self-care, your knee should feel better. But let your healthcare provider know if the pain gets worse, or if it doesn't go away with rest.