Do you ever feel unstable, as if your knees may collapse underneath you? Are you experiencing sharp pains in your hips and knees that make daily tasks difficult? Does standing up after a lengthy amount of time pose as a challenging feat? If so, physical therapy can help.
Constant hip and knee pains can greatly hinder your daily life. Physical therapy is an easy, comfortable, and safe way to both diagnose and relieve pain. In many cases, it can even eliminate the need for harmful pain-management drugs or invasive surgical correction.
If you are looking for hip and knee pain relief, look no further – schedule a consultation with Rebound Physical Therapy today.
Why am I experiencing hip and knee pain?
Hip and knee pain may be experienced either together or separately. Your hip and knee joints work together to provide you with optimum function in your movement; however, sometimes an injury or underlying condition can cause said function to go awry.
Your hips and knees are two different types of joints: the hips are ball-and-socket joints that act as a support for your upper body weight, while the knees are hinge joints that allow for the forward-and-backward motions within the joint. Believe it or not, the knees actually support more of your weight than the hips do, as they allow you to stand, walk, run, dance, etc. Your hips and knees rely on numerous muscles and tissues to maintain their proper function and mobility, and when things aren’t working correctly, you may experience hip or knee pain.
With hip and knee pain, it is possible that the pain is originating in the joints themselves – however, it is also possible that the pain may be coming from another part of the body. For example, a problem with the hip joint may transmit a pain signal to the knees, and vice versa. Since the hips and knees are both parts of the same kinetic chain, they make up a combination of weight-bearing joints that must function together in harmony in order for your body and posture to function properly. If one part of the kinetic chain is out of balance, stress and deterioration may be placed on another.
Common causes of hip and knee pain:
The structures in your hips and knees are very similar, therefore they can be subject to many of the same injuries, stress, disorders, and diseases. Some of the most common causes of hip and knee pain include:
Acute injuries.
These are common in both hips and knees, such as sprains, strains, and dislocations.
Overuse injuries.
Several overuse injuries, including muscle strains and tendonitis, are common in both hips and knees. This is because the joints both experience constant use.
Cartilage injuries.
Cartilage injuries can affect either the hips or knees. For example, hip pain can be caused by cartilage injuries known as labral tears, while inflammation of the bursa sacs, known as bursitis, is a specific condition that impacts the knee joint.
Referred pain.
Pain may also develop as a result of referred pain from a pinched sciatic nerve since the nerve travels through both areas.
Weak or tight muscles.
If you have weak gluteus medius muscles and tight hip flexor muscles, this can cause the hip to rotate inward without you realizing it. Because of this, abnormal stress can be put on the knees, resulting in painful conditions, such as patellofemoral stress syndrome or iliotibial band friction syndrome.
Gait or stance imbalances.
These can cause abnormal stress and premature wear-and-tear to be put on your hips and knees, which can result in painful symptoms or arthritis.
Find hip and knee pain relief with Rebound Physical Therapy:
At Rebound Physical Therapy, we are equipped to provide hip and knee pain relief. At your initial appointment, you will be greeted by one of our Boise and Meridian physical therapists, who will examine your hips and knees for any structural damage or misalignment. They will also evaluate your gait, stance, posture, and range of motion. After your evaluation is complete, our physical therapist will design a personalized treatment plan, based on your needs and goals. Treatment plans will focus on relieving pain, normalizing joint function, and relieving any abnormal stresses on your hips and knees.
Your treatment plan will include targeted stretches and exercises, aimed at stabilizing any weak hip and/or knee tissues. The exercises may vary depending on your condition; for example, research has demonstrated that those suffering from kneecap pain tend to respond better to exercises that focus on strengthening both the hips and knees, rather than just focusing on the knees alone. Core strengthening exercises targeting the lower abdominal muscle groups, lower back muscle groups, or pelvic muscles may also be prescribed. Core exercises are aimed at straightening your posture and equalizing the weight load on both sides of your body.
You may be prescribed additional treatments as our physical therapist deems fit, such as massage therapy, ice and heat therapy, or other soft tissue treatments. These are all aimed at alleviating your pain and promoting the healing of your damaged hip and/or knee tissues.
If you are suffering from hip and/or knee pain, don’t hesitate to contact Rebound Physical Therapy today in Boise and Meridian, ID for a consultation. Treatment plans will be discussed with one of our licensed Boise and Meridian physical therapists, so you don’t have to wait for relief.
Visit our clinic locations in Boise and Meridian today!
Read our blog post on how physical therapy can benefit you if you are suffering from hip and knee pain by clicking here!
FAQs
What causes knee pain?
Your knees are hinge joints that allow for the forward-and-backward motions within the joint. The knee is one of the largest joints in your body, made up of a complex system of bones, tendons, and ligaments. Because of this, the knee can be easily injured due to overexertion or repetitive motions. Additionally, knee pain can be caused due to an underlying ailment. Some of the most common causes of knee pain are sprains, strains, fractures, tears, dislocation, tendinitis, bursitis, and arthritis.
How long should knee pain last?
Some knee pain can ease on its own. However, if you notice persistent pain, you should contact a physical therapist. Many people try to push through the pain that they feel; however, this can actually cause an issue to worsen and become more problematic. Sharp or dull pain in the knee should be paid attention to and not pushed through. If pain persists, especially for three months or longer, it is in your best interest to contact a physical therapist, as that can be an indication of a chronic condition.
Is walking good for knee pain?
Knee pain can be debilitating, making it difficult to walk, run, and move. While exercise can certainly help heal the root cause of your knee pain, it is important to make sure to only do so under the discretion of your physical therapist. Your treatment plan will largely consist of targeted exercises and manual treatments; however, additional pain relief modalities may also be added as your physical therapist deems fit. This will help you improve any problem areas and prevent further injury from occurring.
What is the best therapy for knee pain?
Our licensed physical therapists will examine your knee for signs of misalignment or structural damage, in addition to examining your stance, posture, gait, and range of motion. After your physical exam is complete, your physical therapist will prescribe a physical therapy plan for you, aimed at relieving unnatural stresses and strains, and normalizing your joint function. Treatment plans for knee pain typically include activity modification, manual therapy, strength and capacity training, range of motion restoration, graded exposure to previously painful activities, and patient education regarding activity modification.