Being active is the norm for many of us who live at the beach. Sometimes, we can start to experience aches and pains in our hips and knees, the body’s largest joints. Most times the pain will dissipate, but other times the condition could be more serious.
Hip pain and knee pain is often caused by an over-use injury from a repetitive motion. Such as swinging a golf club or tennis racquet. Surprisingly, even a less strenuous activity like gardening can cause a pain in the knee or hip pain. Other common causes include osteoarthritis, bursitis, or an injury or fall.
So, if I have sharp pain in the hip or knee and I have the 5 symptoms that you shouldn't ignore, how do I see a physician? The quick answer is to simply give us a call at 904-JOI-2000 or you can schedule online.
Image of the hip joint
When it comes to your hips and knees, there are 5 symptoms you shouldn’t ignore. If you delay seeing a physician, you could make your pain worse. You should make an appointment if you have any of the following:
1. Not being able to maintain your normal active lifestyle. If you find yourself not able to do the activities you normally enjoy, such as tennis, golf, cycling, or walking, you should see a physician.
2. Pain that gets worse at night and interferes with sleep. Inflammation, which is your body’s reaction to pain, tends to intensify at night. This inflammation can trigger higher levels of pain.
3. Catching, popping, or locking. This is a sign that the cartilage in the joint has torn or that bits of cartilage has broken off in the joint space. The cartilage may wear away completely if it is left untreated.
4. Difficulty doing simple tasks. Some patients will experience difficulty putting on shoes and socks or doing other simple activities, such as bending down.
5. Swelling. This could also be a sign that the cartilage in the joint is breaking down. The cartilage may wear out completely if it is left untreated.
Many times, people delay seeing an orthopedist because they fear that a surgeon will want to do surgery. That is not the case at Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute. In fact, for every 10 patients we see only two need surgery. Others are treated with conservative measures. Usually, the earlier you see a physician, the better the outcome is. Conservative cares usually starts by starting physical therapy.
Pain in the Knees
There are several causes of a pain in your knee or both knees. Knee pain can be caused by a sudden incident, overuse, or underlying diagnosis like osteoarthritis. The treatment of the condition will depend on the cause and impairments associated with the injury. There are 4 Knee pain remedies that can help people who are suffering from knee pain. To learn about remedies for knee pain, please read this ARTICLE. Watch this VIDEO to see why Knee Pain Can't Wait.
JOI Rehab can help alleviate knee pain
Hip pain can occur for several reasons. The hip is a large ball and socket joint. The surfaces of the joints are lined with cartilage to allow smooth movement. There is a ring around the socket called a labrum. The labrum is cartilage as well. Issues in the joint or the ligaments that hold the joint together can cause pain in the hip. Usually, pain or symptoms from the hip joint are in the groin region or the front of the hip. To learn more about hip pain read this ARTICLE.
JOI Rehab can help alleviate hip pain
The first recommendation I make, if the pain is not chronic, is to exercise correctly. The saying “No Pain, No Gain,” does not hold true when it comes to hip and knee pain. Especially if the pain comes from arthritis. Switching to a low-impact exercise, like a stationary bike, stair stepper, rowing machine, or yoga are great options. Swimming is an excellent exercise that doesn’t place weight on your hips and knees.
Sometimes the answer can be as simple as an orthotic insert in your shoe to help distribute weight away from your arthritic joint. Other non-intrusive solutions include oral anti-inflammatories, such as Tylenol or Motrin. Braces can also be helpful. In many cases, pain can also be controlled through corticosteroid or lubricant injections. Physical therapy can greatly improve the range of motion and strengthen the muscles around the joint to take pressure off of the joint.
If all conservative measures are exhausted, surgery may be the best option. “Joint Camp” at the Baptist Hospitals has a proven approach and innovative procedures to help patients through their surgical experience. Along with the latest in knee replacement technology, we offer hip replacement surgery through an anterior approach. This surgery is where the hip joint is approached from the front of the leg rather than the back. This technique spares transecting muscles and tendons. Not only for faster recovery but also reduces the possibility of dislocation which is a major concern for posterior approaches.
Learn more in this article about Hip Exercises That You Can Do at Home or Direct Access to JOI Rehab Physical Therapy.
You are in good hands with the surgeons of JOI. You can consult with your MD to see which procedure is the best option for YOU!
Related Article: Bones in the Hip and Total Hip Replacement.
It is not uncommon for people of various age groups to have knee and hip pain. There are several different ways to treat pain in the knee or the hip in physical therapy. Range-of-motion and strength training are also typically used as ways to treat those who are having painful knee symptoms. Our therapists work closely with our physicians and primary care physicians to determine the cause of your hip and knee pain. Our goal is make sure that we manage your pain and get you back to the activities that you love.
If you are interested in scheduling an appointment at JOI Rehab for physical therapy, call 904-858-7045
If you want to learn more about knee pain, go to knee pain symptoms
If you need to see a Knee or Hip Orthopaedic Specialist, please call 904-JOI-2000 or follow the link below. Our hip specialists are now accepting new patients. Our goal is to help you with your hip pain!
