Knee pain treatment includes:
Use cold therapy or apply ice to the knee to reduce knee pain and inflammation. Application of the ice should not be directly on the skin to avoid skin burns. Instead, one should wrap the ice in a tea towel or use recommended knee wraps.
Rest and avoiding activities that may strain the knees is another way of treating the condition.
A physiotherapist may also use electrotherapy such as TENS and ultrasound to treat fat pad impingement.
A patient should also carry out exercises that strengthen the knee muscles. The exercises should not cause excessive strain to the knee. These will be prescribed to you by your physiotherapist.
Taking anti-inflammatory medications prescribed by the doctor.
Taping the kneecap is also an effective treatment for treating the condition since it helps create more space for the fat pad, therefore minimising the stress on it.
A steroid injection to the knee may be considered to help reduce inflammation and pain.
In some exceptional cases where conservative methods fail, then surgery may be advised. Surgery may involve complete or partial removal of the fat pad.