There is a strong correlation between hip and knee pain, and it is often overlooked that they are connected. Even though they may not appear to be intertwined, research has found that the knee and hip joints have strong correlations because of their proximity. Several factors can lead to both hip and knee pain together. Hip and knee pain can be excruciating, but physical therapy is a great way to get your body back into good health. But whenever a person feels severe pain in the hip and knee, which persists for a more extended period, they should consult a doctor. A pain medicine clinic can help you deal with both conditions.
Common Symptoms of Hip Pain Include:
- joint pain
- swelling and tenderness
- difficulty sleeping on your hip
- stiffness of the hip joint after sitting for long periods
Common Symptoms Of Knee Pain Include:
- Intensive pain when the knee is extended or bent
- Limited range of motion
- Swelling
- Buckling of the knee
- Inability to put your total weight on the knee
Reasons for Hip and Knee Problems
Hip and Knee pain can arise due to injuries, repetitive stress, mechanical abnormalities, and several types of arthritis. Muscle weakness is a prominent factor leading to hip and knee issues. Your hip muscles are essential in providing stability, like the gluteus medius, that control the position of your knees during specific movements like walking, climbing, or jumping.
An injury can destroy any of the ligaments, fibres, or fluid-filled pockets that are present around knee joints. Moreover, they may also present around cartilage and tendons around joints. The most common knee injuries include:
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The Medial Collateral Ligament
It is the most general type of affected ligament of the knee. The treatment approaches for medial-sided knee damage have improved from surgical treatments to mostly conventional management with a suitable functional rehabilitation plan. Range of motion is maintained to prevent tightness along with recurrent strengthening exercises.
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Patellar Instability Describes Patellar Dislocation
It involves instability problems with the kneecap. Almost 11% of musculoskeletal pain symptoms in which women are mostly affected. Patellar instability can be managed and treated successfully without surgical procedures. Optimum rehabilitation is achieved with the complete elimination of pain after exercise.
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Osteoarthritis
It is considered the most common underlying cause producing chronic disability in individuals with older ages. The potential outcome of an exercise in knee and hip osteoarthritis is described by its ability to eliminate muscle sensomotoric dysfunction, including weakness and poor control, avoid abnormal movement and regain normal biomechanics. This results in better gait, eliminating pain and increasing function.
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The Anterior Cruciate Ligament
The anterior cruciate ligament in the knee improves the movement of the lower leg bone joined to the thigh bone and radiates to knee joints. The treatment aim of ACL ruptures is to find the accurate functional level for individuals without targeting new injuries or deteriorative changes in the knee.
When to See a Doctor
Generally, simple self-help treatments can manage knee and hip pain conditions efficiently. However, If your condition is awful or hasn’t shown any improvement after two weeks of treatment involving regular administration of painkillers, you should visit your doctor. You should consult your doctor directly if:
- You fell or got any injury in your hip
- The pain is not getting better
- You’re feeling discomfort in daily activities, for example, walking, running or moving forward when sitting
- You feel unwell, or you’ve been losing weight.
Simple At-Home Treatments for Hip and Knee Pain
According to the pain clinic in Dallas, here are the best home remedies for the treatment of hip and knee pain.
● Prescription-free Medications
Some pain-reducing medications, mainly acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can decrease the inflammatory condition leading to pain. Administering non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications can also decrease the chances of inflammation and facilitate you in performing your activities.
● Stretching and Movement
Mild stretching and exercises are necessary to reduce stiffness and facilitate movements. Water therapy for movements, like water aerobics and yoga, is practised for removing hip and knee pain.
● Temperature Therapies
Pain can be managed by adopting heat and cold therapy or selecting the one that helps the most. Take an icing bag or a piece of frozen vegetables in a cloth. Please put it on the knee or hip for a time duration of about 20 minutes. The cold removes the inflammation and pain and develops a feeling of ease. A warm pad or a hot shower also decreases the pain and activates the muscles for stretching.
● Resting Technique
Avoid all those activities that involve bending or exerting more and extra pressure on the hip or knee. Relaxing your movements and easing helps with a fast recovery.
● Weight Maintenance
If you are overweight or have abnormal weight, it is necessary to maintain average weight as the knee because the hip joints have to bear the extra weight that results in pain. Losing weight can facilitate reducing stress on the joints.
Summary
Several conditions, including osteoarthritis and flat feet, can cause hip and knee pain. Your healthcare professional will prescribe a treatment method based on the root cause of your hip and knee pain.