COMMON CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS FOR PERSISTENT HIP AND KNEE PAIN
For many people, hip and knee pain can be a way of life. It can pose issues when trying to enjoy leisurely walks, climb up stairs, or bend down to retrieve a dropped item. It can greatly hinder your ability to perform and enjoy daily activities. Your hips are the body’s largest “ball and socket” joints, meaning that your “femur” (hip bone) fits perfectly into your “acetabulum” (hip socket.) There is a cushion of cartilage in your hips that helps prevent friction as your hip bone moves within the socket. However, it is possible for the cartilage to wear down or become damaged with age or physical exertion. It is also possible for the muscles and tendons surrounding the hip to experience overuse. If a fall or other injury occurs, the hip bone can also break or become dislocated. The knee joint is also one of the most complicated joints in the body, as it has to bear up to 6 times your body weight when running or jumping. This incredible joint has to move over a million times each year and over 80 million times over a lifetime. This is also the reason why things can go wrong, resulting in injury and pain. If your hip or knee pain is limiting you from living the life you want, don’t hesitate to contact SOS Physiotherapy as soon as possible. We’ll help you get moving freely once again! Why am I experiencing hip and/or knee pain? There are many reasons why you may be experiencing hip or knee pain. Some of the most common causes include: • Arthritis. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the most common causes of hip and knee pain. Arthritis causes inflammation of the joints and can lead to a quicker breakdown of cartilage in the hips. This can lead to pain or stiffness with movement. • Strains. Muscles or tendons can become strained due to overuse and repeated activity. This causes inflammation, which can result in pain. So, if you feel achy after walking too far, it may be your body’s way of telling you you’ve done too much! • Fractures and breaks. As we age, our bones start to become brittle, increasing the probability of fractures and breaks. This is something to
keep in mind as you participate in physically demanding activities and hobbies. Have fun, but remember to be careful! • Tears. There are four ligaments in the knees that have a possible risk of tearing. The most commonly torn ligament is the “anterior cruciate ligament,” or ACL. It is also possible for cartilage to tear, causing pain. Tears are typically a result of some sort of trauma experienced to the painful area. • Bursitis. “Bursae” are liquid sacs that can be found between tissues. They help ease friction from tissues running together; however, they can also become inflamed due to overuse and repeated activity, resulting in pain. Even activities such as standing too long may result in achiness from irritated bursae later. • Tendinitis. Your tendons are thick bands of tissue that connect your muscles to your bones. Tendinitis occurs when your tendons become inflamed, which, again, is a result of overuse and repeated activity.
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