How can my dad treat his injured knee?

Question

Recently, my 60-year-old, 6ft-6in dad was crammed in the back seat of his niece's mini European car when he heard his knee make a loud pop sound. Ever since (two months), it is swollen and soar and continues to make a cracking/popping sound from time to time. It's been hurting him, and he's been putting hot pads on it, but he refuses to see a doctor just yet.

He leaves for Europe again next week (and will be walking a lot on it)! What can he do to make the swelling go down, and make it less painful?

(And what do you think happened to it? He's never injured his knee before.)

Answer 1

I would try icing it, and propping it up whenever he can.  But really, he needs to get to a doctor so he doesn't end up hurting it worse somehow.

Answer 2

Take him to the doctor