Your hips and knees carry a lot of your body weight. Multiple joints, muscles, and tendons all work together to make complex everyday movements possible. If any of these musculoskeletal components are damaged or strained in any way, it can make movement very difficult and painful!
Hip and knee pain can be caused by sports injuries, stress due to repetitive motion, excess weight, advanced age, or even your genetic disposition. No matter the cause of this concentrated pain, there’s no reason just to grit your teeth and bear it! While pain medication and anti-inflammatories can minimise the ache, they aren’t viable solutions in the long-term.
If you’re experiencing chronic pain in your knees or your hips, you likely need to consult with a physiotherapist. Licensed professionals will be able to get to the root of the problem, relieve your pain, and help you avoid sustaining any further injury. It’s time to ditch your pain meds and seek out a physio clinic near you!
The hip is one of the most stable joints in the body. However, because it bears the entire weight of your body at all times, it is very likely to develop arthritis after several decades.
A hip joint injury occurs if any of its structures are overstretched, irritated, or damaged. Common hip issues include osteoarthritis, hip flexor strain, iliotibial band (ITB) friction syndrome, labral tears, and sciatica. Hip pain can sometimes radiate down the front of the thigh. Any ache or sharp pain can limit your range of movement and cause stiffness or weakness in your hip.
The knee is a complex hinge joint that is more commonly injured than any other joint in the body. It helps support body weight and allows forward and backward movement—making it vital to keep it functional at all times.
The most common causes of knee pain are related to injury, aging, or repeated stress. Common knee issues that cause pain are sprained ligaments, torn cartilage, arthritis, and tendonitis. No matter the cause, pain and swelling in the knee significantly affect your daily life!
Whether your hip or knee pain is caused by injury, age, or everyday strain, a physiotherapy program will do wonders to help relieve your pain.
Here is how consultations with a physiotherapist usually go:
Injury assessment – The first step in identifying the cause of your hip and knee pain will be a comprehensive physical assessment. Your movement capabilities will be tested so that the root cause of the issue can be identified. If you have any relevant x-rays or previous medical scans, it’s best to bring them to your physiotherapist for reference.
Treatment plan – Once your physiotherapist has all the necessary information, they will create a treatment plan that will be implemented right away. Some direct treatments could include massage or heat therapy. You will also be given exercises and movements you should perform at home.
Further care – Generally, more than one physio appointment is necessary to address the extent of your hip or pain issues. Make sure to follow all the movement, posture, even sleeping recommendations given to you. Slowly but surely, you will be able to gain strength and a better range of movement.
If you’re suffering from hip or knee pain, you shouldn’t have to depend on a dose of pain medication to get you through the day. Expert physiotherapists have years of study and experience in dealing with a wide variety of musculoskeletal issues. Consulting with a professional will get at the root of the pain and advise you on how you can avoid injury in the future.
Are you experiencing knee pain and are looking for a physiotherapist in Brisbane? Anytime Physio offers sports physiotherapy, remedial massage, and Pilates classes. We are a team of highly trained physiotherapists committed to delivering expert service through rehabilitation plans tailored for each of our patients. Book a consultation with us today!