I got a bruise on the top part of my knee (patella). i don't recall hitting it against anything. it hurts! any advice?

RICE: Whether you remember hitting it or not, you have bruising so there has been some type of trauma to the area. The usual applies, using the acronym rice: r-rest, i-ice, c-compression, e-elevation. You follow this for the duration of significant pain, and can also use nsaid's such as Ibuprofen on Naproxen to relieve pain and inflammation as well.