Knee Pain Nashua NH

Hip and Knee Pain

Most of your daily activity, from getting out of bed to getting in the car, relies on the strength of your hips and knees. When these crucial joints begin to ache or show signs of wear and tear, you may find moving without knee pain difficult. Fortunately, physical therapy may provide much-needed relief from the aches and pains in your hips and knees.

A Word About Your Hips & Knees

Your knees are the largest joints in your body incorporating not two, but three bones and several tendons and ligaments that hold those bones together. When they work well, your knees make it possible to sit, stand, bend, walk, pivot, dance, and do just about every other daily activity you can think of. But its complex nature of the knee means it is prone to injury, arthritis and other painful problems.

The hip is comprised of the head of your femur and the part of your pelvic bone called the acetabulum. Hips are ball and socket joints. The femoral head looks a lot like a ball that fits perfectly into the glove formed by your pelvic bone. You use your hips for many of the same functions as your knees – sitting, standing, walking, bending, running, jumping, etc. However, while the knee is only meant to move back and forth, your hip is designed to move forward and back as well as side to side.

Common Causes and Conditions of This Pain

Among the most common causes of hip and knee pain is osteoarthritis. This painful joint disease occurs when bony growths begin to form in the joint, damaging the connective tissue that allows the hip or knee to move. Osteoarthritis may be caused by an old injury, an autoimmune disease or simple aging. Hip and knee pain can also be caused by a condition called bursitis. Fluid filled sacs that cushion the spaces between the bones in the knee and hip are known as bursae. When these sacs are inflamed from repetitive motion, the joint becomes very painful, especially during movement of any kind. Poor posture, overuse or even running can also cause inflammation in the iliotibial band (IT band) that runs from your hip to your knee that causes pain in both joints. Wearing the wrong shoes can cause knee and hip pain, especially when you wear the wrong shoes during exercise.

“How Does Physical Therapy Help Me?”

Hip and knee replacement surgery is the most common joint replacement procedure in America. For many people, replacing these joints with new mechanical joints is the only way to repair the damage done from years of overuse and injury. For the rest, physical therapy can provide significant pain relief without the risk of going under the knife.

Your Nashua, NH physical therapist will begin your treatment with a full evaluation that may include testing your range of motion, level of pain, the location of the pain, and other diagnostic or imaging tests to rule out any underlying conditions. Once this testing process is completed, your physical therapist will begin to craft a customized treatment plan that is designed to address your strength, flexibility, mobility, and pain needs.

Request a consult at Performance Rehab in Nashua, NH and start feeling better today!

FAQs

  • What causes knee pain?

    Your knees are hinge joints that allow for the forward-and-backward motions within the joint. The knee is one of the largest joints in your body, made up of a complex system of bones, tendons, and ligaments. Because of this, the knee can be easily injured due to overexertion or repetitive motions. Additionally, knee pain can be caused due to an underlying ailment. Some of the most common causes of knee pain are sprains, strains, fractures, tears, dislocation, tendinitis, bursitis, and arthritis.

  • How long should knee pain last?

    Some knee pain can ease on its own. However, if you notice persistent pain, you should contact a physical therapist. Many people try to push through the pain that they feel; however, this can actually cause an issue to worsen and become more problematic. Sharp or dull pain in the knee should be paid attention to and not pushed through. If pain persists, especially for three months or longer, it is in your best interest to contact a physical therapist, as that can be an indication of a chronic condition.

  • Is walking good for knee pain?

    Knee pain can be debilitating, making it difficult to walk, run, and move. While exercise can certainly help heal the root cause of your knee pain, it is important to make sure to only do so under the discretion of your physical therapist. Your treatment plan will largely consist of targeted exercises and manual treatments; however, additional pain relief modalities may also be added as your physical therapist deems fit. This will help you improve any problem areas and prevent further injury from occurring.

  • What is the best therapy for knee pain?

    Our licensed physical therapists will examine your knee for signs of misalignment or structural damage, in addition to examining your stance, posture, gait, and range of motion. After your physical exam is complete, your physical therapist will prescribe a physical therapy plan for you, aimed at relieving unnatural stresses and strains, and normalizing your joint function. Treatment plans for knee pain typically include activity modification, manual therapy, strength and capacity training, range of motion restoration, graded exposure to previously painful activities, and patient education regarding activity modification.