Hip & Knee Injuries

If you think your hip and knee pain are related, you may be right.

There are many muscles at the hip that control movement of your leg as well as keep your knee in the proper position when walking or moving about. When those muscles weaken or strain from overuse, inactivity, injury, or disease (such as arthritis), it can lead to an abnormal gait and make your knee unstable, causing pain and making it susceptible to injury like an ACL tear.

In addition, problems with the hip joint itself can cause referred pain – that’s pain that travels along unexpected pathways to appear in areas of the body somewhat distant from its source. In this case, you may feel pain at the front of your thigh or in your knee. In fact, you may not even be aware you have a hip injury until you experience the pain elsewhere, like in your knee.

The following are just a few of the types of knee problems that may be caused by hip problems:

• Iliotibial band (IT) syndrome
• Knee bursitis ("goosefoot")
• Patellar (kneecap) tendonitis
• Patellofemoral syndrome

In addition, for those who are prone to osteoarthritis, it is very common for it to occur in both the hip and the knee.

Treatment for Hip & Knee Problems

So how do you know if a knee injury may have started at the hip?

You’ll want to start by seeing an orthopedic specialist like Dr. H. Kurtis Biggs, who specializes in disorders of the hip and knee. Whether your complaint involves your hip or your knee, it is very common to examine both. Your gait, mobility, and muscle strength will be assessed.

Diagnostic imaging may be needed to properly identify the cause of your symptoms. If the root of your problem is still unclear, certain pain management methods, such as a nerve block injection at the hip, may be used; if it eliminates your knee pain, that confirms your issue is with the hip.

If the issue is caught early enough, a physical therapy program that focuses on strengthening weakened hip muscles may be all you need.

Other common treatments for hip and knee injuries include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), pain management, or surgical options such as a joint replacement.

Orthopedic Specialists in Naples, FL

Your hips and knees are large, weight-bearing joints that are built to take a beating. But when injuries take a toll, and you’re experiencing pain in your knee or hip (or both), you’ll want to resolve it as soon as possible. Contact the orthopedic experts at the Joint Replacement Institute in Naples, Florida, to identify and treat the cause of your hip or knee problems. Call (239) 261-2663 or request an appointment now.