HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE HIP & KNEE PAIN?
Hip and knee pain can occur from athletic overexertion or a chronic condition like arthritis. In some cases, it goes away and in others it’s relentless. It’s important to know the cause, consistency, and severity of your pain so that the correct personalized treatment plan can be developed for your individual needs.
It’s also important to note the location of your pain and the type of pain you are experiencing. Sometimes hip and knee symptoms manifest in back pain and back pain could be the result of a condition in your hip or knee.
What Causes Hip & Knee Pain?
Hip and knee pain can occur due to a variety of causes, and it is important to get to the bottom of your pain in order to receive the most effective hip pain treatment. Arthritis is one of the most common causes of hip and knee pain causing joint stiffness. However, extended overuse of the hip and knee can be a significant contributor to pain.
Athletes that participate in sports such as ice hockey, running, football, soccer, ballet, and golf are also at high risk for hip and knee issues such as labral tears, or MCL, ACL injuries. Common conditions that lead to hip and knee pain can include:
- Hip Conditions
- Hip Arthritis
- Hip Bursitis
- Hip Impingement
- Hip Labral Tear
- Iliotibial Band Syndrome
- Knee Conditions
- Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury
- Kneecap Dislocation
- Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) Injury
- Medial Cruciate Ligament (MCL) Injury
- Meniscal Tears
- Patellar Tendonitis
- Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Injury
What Are the Symptoms of Hip & Knee Pain?
Any hip or knee pain that is negatively impacting or disrupting your daily life needs to be examined by an expert at Oasis Orthopedic and Spine. Some of the most common symptoms of hip and knee pain include:
- Restricted range of motion.
- Joint pain after sleeping.
- Joint pain after sitting for an extended period of time.
- Tenderness or swelling of the hip.
- Tenderness or swelling of the knee.
- Sound of crunching when walking.
- Sharp pain through the leg.
These symptoms can be caused by a variety of conditions with the joints themselves or surrounding tissues. If you think you are experiencing the painful symptoms of a hip and knee condition, you may need treatment. Find your condition below with our online condition tool.
HOW IS HIP & KNEE PAIN TREATED?
When your hip and knee pain is disrupting your everyday life, take your condition seriously. Speak with an orthopedic expert at Oasis Orthopedic and Spine about getting an accurate diagnosis and treatment options to alleviate your hip and knee pain.
Non-Surgical Treatments for Hip & Knee Pain
Treatment for your hip or knee pain is highly dependent on the condition that is causing your symptoms. This is why an accurate diagnosis is critical.
Your specialist will conduct a physical exam to begin your diagnosis. They may also use medical images such as X-rays and MRIs to take a deeper look at your bones and surrounding tissues.
Once you have an accurate diagnosis for your hip and knee pain, you can work with your specialist to explore your different treatment options. In many cases, it may be recommended that you begin with non-surgical treatments for your hip and knee pain such as:
- Anti-Inflammatories
- RICE — rest, ice, compression, elevation
- Physical therapy
- Cortisone injections
If you are overweight, your doctor may recommend losing excess weight to reduce the strain on your hip and knee joints. For example, being 10 lbs overweight translates into 60 lbs of force on your knees when you take a step.
Surgical Treatments for Hip & Knee Pain
If your condition is severe, or non-surgical options do not produce results, it may be advisable to consider a minimally invasive surgical procedure. There are a variety of minimally invasive surgical treatments available for hip and knee pain.
The underlying condition that is causing your hip and knee pain will dictate what surgical treatments are available to you as well as the location and extent of the condition. Common minimally invasive surgeries used to treat hip and knee pain include:
- Hip replacement
- Knee replacement
- Arthroscopy
The comprehensive orthopedic treatment options available at Oasis Orthopedic and Spine are intended to bring long-lasting relief to our patients experiencing chronic pain that limits daily activities and quality of life.
If you think a minimally invasive surgical procedure could be the right answer for your hip and knee pain, we can help. Find the right treatment for your hip and knee condition with our online treatment finder.