Your hips and knees are essential joints that work hard all day to give you the best possible function. They are common sources of pain and discomfort due to their complexity and constant use.

As the cartilage in one’s joints begins to break down with age, the risk of experiencing chronic hip or knee discomfort rises. Anyone can acquire hip or knee discomfort due to excessive overuse, unanticipated traumas, or underlying disorders.

You may have been told that the only way to find relief from hip and knee pain is through expensive surgery. While surgery is sometimes needed to correct certain conditions in the hip or knee, physical therapy has been proven to succeed in significantly lowering pain and improving function.

In many cases, physical therapy can even eliminate the need for a surgical procedure. If you are living with hip and/or knee pain and you are looking for relief, contact Physical Therapy of Melissa today to see how our services can benefit you!

Common causes of knee and hip pain

When you make an appointment with a physical therapist, you can expect a comprehensive examination as the first step. Your physical therapist will assess you to determine the location of the sore area and the source of the discomfort.

For example, discomfort in the hips can occasionally be felt in the lower back, buttocks, groin, or the front or side of the hips. Knee pain can also be felt on the front or rear of the knee joint. If there has been a trauma to the knee, it can also be felt on the inside of the knee or the outside of the knee if you have iliotibial band tension.

Hip pain is typically reported as a constant dull ache that doesn’t disappear. However, knee pain is a bit different and is often assessed as one of several different types of pain:

• Chronic – Chronic pain can be defined as any pain that lasts longer than two or three months. If you’ve been living with serious knee pain for that long, you should consult your doctor. They will most likely suggest performing another full physical exam in addition to x-rays.
• Acute – Acute pain is the most intense type of knee pain. It typically occurs after an injury and will last for about a week. The treatment for acute pain is generally just to simply rest and isolate the affected area, as your body is working hard to heal it.
• Subacute – Pain that lasts two to six weeks after an injury is known as subacute pain. Although the affected area may still be uncomfortable, it will not be as bad as the first week. Gentle motions promote a better range of motion and aid healing in treating subacute knee pain.

Physical therapy techniques can help you find true relief

When you arrive for your initial consultation, your physical therapist will conduct a comprehensive evaluation to determine the nature of your condition and the best steps for comfort. This evaluation will include:

• Range of motion tests. Your physical therapist will test the limits of your knee or hip to see how far it will bend. This helps determine the severity of the trauma and will give your physical therapist insight into the course of treatment.
• Palpation. Your physical therapist will gently palpate the knee or hip to determine where the pain originates.
• Strength tests. Testing the strength of your knee and hip structures will give your physical therapist a better idea of whether your pain is due to an injury or a physical imbalance.
• Gait analysis. Your physical therapist will assess how you walk to determine if anything is out of the ordinary with your gait.

Depending on your symptoms, your physical therapist may also perform balance tests to see if your balance has been affected. If any areas are inflamed, your physical therapist will focus closely on those areas. The test results will determine what methods will benefit your treatment plan.

Are you ready to feel better, faster?

Treatment plans will include targeted stretches and exercises to relieve pain and improve function in the affected hips or knees. Additional methods might be added as your physical therapist deems fit. Your progress will be closely tracked in order to help you reach your goals as quickly as possible.

If you are looking to relieve your hip and knee pains the natural way, contact Physical Therapy of Melissa today. We’ll provide you with the treatment you need so you can get back on your feet!