Version July 2025
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What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").
What should I know? —
You came to the ED, and the doctor gave you a knee brace (also called an "immobilizer"). The brace limits how much you can bend or straighten that knee.
You might be able to bend your knee a little when wearing the brace. Or the brace might keep your knee almost straight. The brace also limits how much your knee can move side to side or how much your kneecap moves.
There are different types of knee braces. They are often made of a heavy fabric and have straps to secure the brace in place. Some have sturdy supports along the sides. Others have hinges that let the knee bend a certain amount.
Your brace might be short and extend a little above and below your knee. Or it might be longer and cover the area from the middle of your thigh to the middle of your calf.
How long you need to wear the brace depends on your injury or why you have knee pain. Ask the doctor if you are not sure how long to wear it.
How do I care for myself at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also do the following:
●Call your regular doctor and tell them you were in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment with an orthopedic doctor if you were told to.
●Follow the doctor's instructions about when to wear the brace. You might need to wear it all the time, or only during activity. You might be able to take it off while you sleep, bathe, do physical therapy, or do exercises. Make sure you know how to put on and take off the brace.
●Follow the doctor's instructions about:
•Putting weight on your leg with the brace – You might be allowed to put a little weight on your leg, or no weight. You might need to use crutches or a walker to help you move around.
•Moving and using your leg – The doctor will tell you what movements you can do while wearing the brace, and what movements to avoid.
●Make sure the brace is not too tight. You should be able to fit at least 1 finger between the brace and your leg. There should not be any skin irritation or lasting discoloration after taking off the brace.
●Follow the care instructions to keep the brace clean. You can usually wipe it down with soap and water.
●Rest your leg. Try not to squat, kneel, or run.
●When resting, try to keep your leg and knee raised (for example, on pillows) to help reduce swelling. To reduce both swelling and pain, raise your leg above your heart.
●Ice can help with pain and swelling from recent injuries. Follow the doctor's instructions about putting ice on your knee. If they say you can take off the brace to ice, place an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel over your knee. Never put ice right on your skin. Do not leave the ice on more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Use for the first 24 to 48 hours after an injury.
●Move your toes, foot, and ankle often. This helps with joint stiffness.
●As your knee heals, you might need to work with a physical therapist (exercise expert). They will teach you exercises to strengthen your leg muscles and protect your knee.
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if:
●Your knee pain does not get better after taking pain medicines, gets much worse, or is constant.
●Your knee gets very swollen.
●Your foot or toes are numb, blue, or gray.
●You have new or worsening symptoms.
Patient education: How to use a knee brace (The Basics)
Patient education: How to use crutches (The Basics)
Patient education: How to use a walker (The Basics)
Patient education: Knee pain (The Basics)
