Treatment of Knee Abrasions
After cleaning, superficial traumatic knee abrasions should be covered with a clean occlusive dressing and/or a topical antibiotic that keeps the wound moist and prevents drying. 1
Initial Management
- Clean the abrasion thoroughly with irrigation to remove debris and reduce infection risk 1
- Higher irrigation pressures and volumes (100-1000 mL) are more effective in cleaning wounds 1
- Tap water is as effective as (or better than) other irrigation solutions for reducing infection rates 1
- Soap and water may be more effective than saline alone for cleaning the wound 1
Wound Coverage
- Apply a small amount of topical antibiotic (equal to the surface area of a fingertip) to the cleaned area 1-3 times daily 2
- Cover with a sterile bandage to maintain a moist healing environment 1
- Occlusive dressings significantly shorten healing time compared to leaving the wound uncovered 1
- Both occlusive dressings and topical antibiotics have been shown to be effective in preventing wound drying and promoting faster healing 1
Pain Management
- For pain relief, consider acetaminophen as first-line oral analgesic 1
- If acetaminophen is ineffective, NSAIDs (oral or topical) may be considered, with preference for topical NSAIDs in patients ≥75 years old due to better safety profile 3
Cold Application for Associated Swelling
- If swelling is present, apply ice (crushed or cubed) with water to the area 1
- Limit cooling time to 20 minutes per session to avoid tissue damage 1
- Intermittent 10-minute applications are also acceptable if 20-minute cooling causes discomfort 1
- A mixture of ice and water is more effective in lowering tissue temperature than ice alone 1
Follow-up Care
- Monitor the wound for signs of infection (increased pain, redness, warmth, swelling, or discharge) 1
- For deeper abrasions or those showing signs of infection, seek additional medical care 1
Special Considerations
- For patients with underlying knee conditions such as osteoarthritis, treatment should address both the acute abrasion and the chronic condition 1
- In cases where the abrasion is associated with a knee injury, additional evaluation may be needed to rule out more serious injuries 4
- For children under 2 years of age, consult a doctor before applying topical antibiotics 2
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Allowing the wound to dry out, which can delay healing and increase scarring 1
- Using excessive pressure during irrigation, which may drive contaminants deeper into the wound 1
- Neglecting to change dressings regularly, which can lead to infection or delayed healing 1
- Failing to address underlying knee conditions that may have contributed to the injury 4