You deserve to live comfortably, without pain.
Understanding why you’re having hip and knee problems is often the key to effectively treating them! Are you struggling with hip or knee pain? If so, an experienced in-home physical therapist can help you decrease (and in some cases, even eliminate) the amount of pain you’re experiencing.
The knees and hips are complex structures. The knee is considered a hinge joint while the hip is a ball-and-socket joint. They’re comprised of a network of muscles, tendons, ligaments, bone, and cartilage all working together to keep you moving.
With this many moving parts, who can be surprised that we experience pain as we age or take part in strenuous activities? When you’re suffering from hip or knee pain it can make doing even the most basic daily activities difficult.
If you’re ready to get back to living your life, unhindered by pain, contact our physical therapy office today to schedule an in-home therapy appointment.
What can in-home physical therapy do for hip and knee pain?
In-home physical therapy is a safe and effective solution for both hip and knee pain. Our skilled physical therapists will likely begin your first session by conducting a thorough evaluation of your body and condition.
For knee pain, the evaluation would probably focus on the area from the hip to the foot. An evaluation of hip pain would most likely include a spinal evaluation. For both types of pain, an evaluation might include range of motion tests and strength measurements. Your physical therapist may also choose to do a gait evaluation and mobility tests.
After diagnostic tests are complete, an individualized physical therapy program will then be created for your specific needs. Different types of exercises are often used to reduce hip pain. Passive methods such as icing or heat treatments could also be used to eliminate pain. Sometimes manipulation of soft tissues and joints in the hip or the spine is needed to restore correct movement and reduce pain.
Physical therapy, surgery, or medication?
Prescription pain medication is often used to treat knee and hip pain. Medication normally doesn’t solve the issue, but only temporarily reduces the pain. Medications, even over-the-counter meds, can be addictive and expensive.
Surgery is another common option when it comes to injuries and pain conditions, however, recovery from surgery can be painful and extensive. There’s always the chance of developing an infection and sometimes surgery simply doesn’t produce the intended results. While surgery may be effective in some cases, it’s not without its drawbacks and should be used as a last resort.
A variety of physical therapy exercises and stretches are also used to treat knee pain. The best part of our services is that they’re all provided at your convenience, from the comfort of your own home. Did you know that the American Physical Therapy Association states that early rehabilitation for certain types of knee pain is associated with a lower use of opioids and knee surgery? It’s true! Physical therapy is a much better alternative for recovery and offers a plethora of benefits that harmful opioids simply do not.
The true causes of hip and knee pain
Knee Pain: Knee pain can be caused by injuries that include torn cartilage or damaged ligaments. Tendinitis, fractures, and knee bursitis are all common knee injuries. Medical conditions such as arthritis or gout can cause mild to severe knee pain. It might be difficult to stand, walk, or fully straighten your knee, and you may be experiencing stiffness or swelling in one or both knees. Sometimes knees will make popping or crunching noises, which can be quite startling to hear!
Hip Pain – Hip pain can be the result of several different kinds of injuries, as well as by a variety of medical conditions. Inflamed tendons from over-exertion or an athletic injury can cause temporary or chronic hip pain. Tendinitis, dislocation, sprains, and pinched nerves are also all conditions that can contribute to or be the cause of hip pain. Hip pain may also result from repetitive injuries or poor posture.
Other reasons for developing hip and knee pain
Some problems that cause hip and knee pain are related to musculoskeletal misalignment, poor posture, and/or excess weight; others occur as the result of natural aging or unhealthy sports/work habits. Your hip or knee pain may stem from any of the following problems:
- Runner’s knee, an instability of the kneecap
- Osteoarthritis, a painful inflammatory condition involving deteriorated joint cartilage
- Stretched ligaments (tendinitis)
- Bursitis,
- Infections
- Traumatic injuries, such as dislocation of the joint
- Postural/alignment issues that throw your body off balance, straining the knees or hips
An in-home physical therapist can often tell the cause of your hip or knee pain from its location alone. For example, pain along the inside of the hip is more likely to be caused by a problem with the bones or cartilage. Pain along the outer side is typically caused by a problem in the muscles, tendons, or ligaments.
The only way to know for sure what the cause of your pain is, is to make an appointment for an in-home therapist to visit you. Your therapist will do a complete evaluation of your condition, ask you questions about your pain symptoms and medical history, and be able to devise a treatment plan that will work to relieve your hip or knee pain, and prevent it from coming back!
Are you ready to find relief?
Physical therapy can help you find lasting relief you’re searching for. For the best results, it’s important to follow all your physical therapist’s instructions, including any stretches or exercises that can be done at home. If you’re ready to finally get relief from your pain, contact us today to get started and schedule your first at-home visit!
