After you hurt your knee, should you see a doctor right away, or can you wait a few days or a few weeks and see if it improves? In this Ask Dr. Geier video, I discuss when you might go to a doctor after a knee injury.
Janna asks:
Should I go to the doctor if someone fell right on top of my knee? It’s been almost 3 weeks, and it has been getting worse. It hurts on top of my left knee and the right side of the left knee. I couldn’t walk at the time of the injury. Sometimes it hurts so bad that I have to hop in school. Sometimes I can limp but barely put any weight on it.
In my opinion as an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in sports medicine, I don’t think there is a right amount of time to wait to see if your knee improves. I don’t know that there is anything special about 48 hours, 1 week or 6 weeks.
As I discuss in this video, there are some signs and symptoms of serious knee injuries. But I think there is one way – and one question to ask yourself – to decide if you should go to a doctor after a knee injury.
Also read:
What type of doctor should I see for my knee injury?
How do I know if I have a serious knee injury?
Please remember, while I appreciate your questions, I cannot and will not offer specific medical advice by email, on my website, on my podcast, or in social media. My responses are meant to provide general medical information and education. Please consult your physician or health care provider for your specific medical concerns.
Recommended Products and Resources
Click here to go to Dr. David Geier’s Amazon Influencer store!
Due to a large number of questions I have received over the years asking about products for health, injuries, performance, and other areas of sports, exercise, work and life, I have created an Amazon Influencer page. While this information and these products are not intended to treat any specific injury or illness you have, they are products I use personally, have used or have tried, or I have recommended to others. THE SITE MAY OFFER HEALTH, FITNESS, NUTRITIONAL AND OTHER SUCH INFORMATION, BUT SUCH INFORMATION IS DESIGNED FOR EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THE CONTENT DOES NOT AND IS NOT INTENDED TO CONVEY MEDICAL ADVICE AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE. YOU SHOULD NOT RELY ON THIS INFORMATION AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR, NOR DOES IT REPLACE, PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE, DIAGNOSIS, OR TREATMENT. THE SITE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ACTIONS OR INACTION ON A USER’S PART BASED ON THE INFORMATION THAT IS PRESENTED ON THE SITE. Please note that as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
