Hip and Knee Pains Got You Down? Here’s A Safe Solution!

Request an appointment with a physical therapist today to find pain relief.

Hip and knee discomfort can be caused by a variety of factors, including excess weight, sports injuries, advanced age, and repetitive motion injuries.

Whatever the reason for your hip and/or knee pain, you must find a strategy to manage it if you are suffering it regularly!

Typically, people lean on anti-inflammatories and other drugs to alleviate pain. However, because these medications can have adverse side effects, it’s a good idea to look for different ways to ease your pain.

The good news is  GoodLife Physical Therapy in EVERGREEN PARK’s physical therapy clinic could hold the solution you’ve been searching for. Call us today to learn more and schedule your appointment with one of our skilled therapists!

How can physical therapy help with hip and knee pain?

You may get pain relief when you are at the physical therapist and going through treatment, but what about when you go home?

Your physical therapist’s main purpose is to help you heal your injuries over time. The different workouts and therapies they utilize with you will gradually improve your condition, allowing you to live a life free of discomfort.

Your hips and knees are likely to become less painful as your body becomes stronger and more mobile.

What to expect with physical therapy treatment

If your doctor has told you to take pain relievers every day for your hip and/or knee pain, you should follow your doctor’s recommendations. But it also cannot hurt to ask about alternatives like physical therapy!

Working with a physical therapist can help reduce or eliminate your pain in a variety of ways, including:

  • Heat and ice therapy. Heat can help you move more freely by improving your mobility and reducing the amount of pain you’re experiencing. Ice can also be used to relieve pain and reduce inflammation in your hip and/or knee.
  • Identify the causes of your hip and knee pain. Hip and knee discomfort can be caused by a variety of factors. A physical therapist can check your movement to see whether anything is contributing to your pain, such as bad posture, bad walking patterns, or bad job movement patterns. Physical therapists can inform you how to fix these problems once they’ve been identified.
  • Ultrasound therapy. Physical therapists utilize ultrasound to apply heat deeper in your soft tissues to relieve pain. The heat helps promote circulation and aid in healing, which might help you feel less pain on a daily basis.
  • Exercises to increase your strength. Loss of muscular strength can contribute significantly to hip and knee pain because the weaker your muscles get, the more stress is put on your joints. Physical therapy centers around specific exercises designed to target various muscles and strengthen them so that they better support your joints.
  • Exercises to improve mobility and flexibility. Often hip and knee pain can lead to loss of mobility and flexibility – which then increases the wear on your joints and leads to even more pain. Physical therapists can guide you through exercises to enhance your mobility and flexibility, allowing you to move your limbs and joints through the full range of motion that your body and circumstances allow.

Evidence supporting physical therapy for hip and knee pain

Physical therapy has been proven as one of the most effective treatment methods for knee and hip injuries. This has been demonstrated through several research-based studies, including a 2014 study published by the Journal of American Medical Association.

The study, titled “Effect of a Home-Based Exercise Program on Functional Recovery Following Rehabilitation After Hip Fracture,” focuses on the benefits of exercise programs for those recovering from hip fractures. In this study, patients were split into two groups.

The intervention group received “functionally oriented exercises (such as standing from a chair, climbing a step) taught by a physical therapist and performed independently by the participants in their homes for six months,” while the other group simply received education on cardiovascular nutrition and recovery.

Results from this study concluded that those participating in the in-home physical therapy exercise programs demonstrated “modest improvement in physical function at six months after randomization.”

Our licensed physical therapists are movement experts. They will analyze how you walk in order to determine any abnormalities and to pinpoint stiff or weak muscles. By pinpointing the exact areas of your body that are not moving as they should, they are able to create a treatment plan that will improve your strength, coordination, and overall mobility.

Request an appointment with us today!

Restoring normal motion is a key aspect to alleviating pain and allowing you to safely partake in the activities you love. Our dedicated team can help you walk, run, and play better. With our motion analysis, strength testing, coordination testing, and more, we can spot your muscles and joints that are in need of treatment.

Your treatment plan will be individualized, based on your specific needs, in order to help you reach your optimum function with the least amount of effort.

Please contact us today to schedule an appointment with a physical therapist for your hip and knee pain. We are standing by to assist you!

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End The Search For Relief From Knee and Hip Pain

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 pain as a result of excessive overuse, unanticipated traumas, or underlying disorders.

While surgery may be required to repair specific disorders of the hip or knee, physical therapy has been shown to be effective in reducing discomfort and increasing function. In many circumstances, physical therapy can completely get rid of the need for surgery.

Your hips and knees are important joints that work hard to provide you with optimum function throughout the day. Because of their complexities and constant use, they are common areas of pain and discomfort.

If you are living with hip and/or knee pain and you are looking for relief, contact GoodLife Physical Therapy in Orland Park, IL today for a consultation. Our therapists are skilled and able individuals who would be more than happy to help you feel your best.

Common causes of hip and knee 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 as well as 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 trauma to the knee, it can also be felt on the inside of the knee, or on the outside of the knee if you have iliotibial band tension.

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

  • 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 – Subacute pain is typically felt two to six weeks after an injury. Tone’sfected area will still be painful, but it will not be nearly as severe as the acute pain of the first week. The treatment for subacute knee pain generally consists of gentle motions meant to increase your range of motion and facilitate healing.
  • 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 with your doctor. They will most likely suggest performing another full physical exam, in addition to x-rays.

Find true, long-lasting pain relief with PT

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 relief. This evaluation will include:

  • 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.
  • 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 in determining the severity of the trauma and will give your physical therapist insight into what the course of treatment should be.
  • Palpation. Your physical therapist will provide gentle palpation of the knee or hip to figure out where the pain is originating.
  • Gait analysis. Your physical therapist will assess how you walk to determine if anything is out of the ordinary with your gait.

Targeted stretches and exercises will be included in treatment regimens to relieve discomfort and improve function in the problematic hips or knees. As your physical therapist sees fit, other methods or modalities may be applied. Your progress will be continuously monitored to ensure that you meet your objectives as quickly as possible.

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.

Call us for an appointment today!

At our clinic, we’ll provide you with the treatment you need so you can get back on your feet. If you are looking to relieve your hip and knee pains the natural way, contact our office today.

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Find Relief for Your Hip and Knee Pains with PT

You Don’t Have to Live with Constant Pains!

There are many factors that could lead to pain in the hips and knees, from excess weight, to sports injuries, to rising age, to repetitive motion injuries. Regardless of the cause of your hip and/or knee pain, if you experience it regularly, it’s important to find a way to manage it.

Hip and knee pain can be difficult to live with. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, knee pain is a common condition resulting in 19.4 million pain-related visits to a physician’s office each year!

Many people rely on medications, such as anti-inflammatory drugs to minimize their discomfort. However, these drugs do have potential side effects, so it would be in your best interest to also find other ways to relieve your pain. Physical therapy may be the solution you’re looking for!

Why pain management drugs are not ideal

If you have been prescribed pain relievers by your doctor, it is best to follow the advice they have given you.

However, you are welcome to discuss physical therapy with your doctor as well or with one of our dedicated team members. If you find that your pain level has decreased through physical therapy, you can discuss reducing the use of your pain reliever with your doctor.

PT for persistent pain

You may notice pain relief when you’re actively participating in your PT sessions, but what about when you go home? Your physical therapist’s main goal is to heal your injuries over the long term.

The various exercises and treatments that they prescribe to you will constantly improve your condition so that you experience less pain on a daily basis. As your body gets stronger and more mobile, you are likely to experience less pain in your hips and knees over time.

How will physical therapy benefit me?

If your doctor has told you to take pain relievers every day for your hip and/or knee pain, you should follow your doctor’s recommendations. But it also cannot hurt to ask about alternatives like physical therapy.

Working with a physical therapist can help reduce or eliminate your pain in a variety of ways, including:

  • At-home exercises – Did you know you don’t always have to be in a clinical setting to do physical therapy exercises? It’s true! Physical therapy techniques can be incorporated into a home exercise program that can become part of your daily routine.
  • Manual physical therapy – Hands-on techniques are used often in physical therapy to reduce pain in your hips and knees. This could include stretching exercises or a variety of massage techniques.
  • Laser therapy – Laser therapy has become much more popular in physical therapy for pain management. It can help improve the growth and reproduction of cells, increase circulation, and also reduce inflammation.
  • Heat and ice therapy. Heat can be used to improve your mobility and decrease the amount of pain you are experiencing so that you can move more freely. Ice can also be used to lessen pain from your hip and/or knee as well as to reduce inflammation.
  • Mobility and flexibility exercises. Often hip and knee pain can lead to loss of mobility and flexibility – which then increases the wear on your joints and leads to even more pain. Physical therapists can take you through exercises to improve your mobility and flexibility so that you can move your limbs and joints in the fullest range of motion that is available based on your body and circumstances.
  • Ultrasound therapy. Ultrasound is used by physical therapists to apply heat deeper in your soft tissues to provide pain relief. The heat can improve circulation and aid in healing, which can ultimately reduce the pain you experience day to day.
  • Strengthening exercises. Loss of muscular strength can contribute significantly to hip and knee pain because the weaker your muscles get, the more stress is put on your joints. Physical therapy centers around specific exercises designed to target various muscles and strengthen them so that they better support your joints.
  • Identifying the root cause of pain. There may be one or several reasons why you are experiencing hip and knee pain. A physical therapist can examine your movement to help identify things that are contributing to your pain, such as poor posture, unhealthy walking patterns or unhealthy movement patterns at work. Once they identify these kinds of issues, physical therapists can tell you how to correct them.

Ready to begin treatments?

Please contact us today to schedule an appointment with a PT who specializes in hip and knee pain. We’re waiting to help you!

Consult with a Physical Therapist to Find Relief for Your Hip and Knee Pains

Looking for Relief? Physical Therapy Has You Covered

Does nagging hip and knee pain keep you from completing everyday tasks with ease? If you’ve been living with chronic aches and pains in these areas, you may benefit from regular physical therapy treatment.

A skilled physical therapist can help to improve your daily quality of life by targeting your problem areas to decrease pain and boost mobility over time.

If you or a loved one experiences pain and discomfort when getting up from a chair, walking down to the corner store, or going up and down the stairs—there’s a good chance that physical therapy can help to ease your pain, stiffness, and weakness.

Call our offices today to learn more about how we can help to reduce your chronic hip or knee pain and be sure to schedule a free initial consultation with our physical therapist.

Why did my hip and knee pain develop?

The hips and knees are the largest joints in the human body and do much of the work in supporting your body weight.

They must both work together in close coordination to keep your body mobile but can easily be affected by injury, arthritis and other common conditions.

In some cases, knee and hip problems can be treated with certain exercises or pain relief medication. But it is also very common for hip and knee problems to worsen over time, making them difficult to treat with over-the-counter solutions.

Common conditions resulting in hip and knee pain

While each person is different, many of our physical therapy clients experience recurring hip and knee pain as a result of a few different causes.

These include:

  • Core Muscle Injury — Notice a pain in your groin area after a weekend of playing ball with your pals? If so, you may be suffering from a core muscle injury, like a strain or tear of the muscles and soft tissues in your lower abdomen area. Rest can help this common injury, but we recommend scheduling an appointment with our physical therapist if the hip pain lasts for several days to a week or more.
  • “Runner’s knee” – An unstable kneecap can lead to chronic knee pain. This condition is known as patellofemoral syndrome or “runner’s knee.”
  • Bursitis — If you notice recurring pain on the outside of your hip, buttocks, or thigh, there’s a good chance that you have bursitis or inflammation of the cushioning pillow-like sacs that work to keep your tendons from rubbing against your bone. This is a common condition as we age and can be relieved with targeted physical therapy treatments.
  • Strains, sprains, and ruptures – The knee and hip joints can move thanks to muscles, tendons and ligaments. Repetitive motion or acute injuries can cause a strain (damage to muscles or tendons) or a sprain (hyperextension of a ligament). Athletes are vulnerable to ruptures of the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament).
  • Fractures — The bones of the knee can easily be broken during a fall, car accident or sporting accident. The risk of suffering a knee fracture increases as we age, as many older adults develop osteoporosis which weakens the bones. Physical therapy can help to reduce pain and inflammation after a fracture and increase mobility over time.
  • Osteoarthritis – Osteoarthritis is a degeneration of the cartilage that normally keeps the bone ends in a joint from rubbing together. The resulting friction causes chronic pain and inflammation.
  • Torn Meniscus — The meniscus is a tough, rubbery piece of cartilage that works as a shock absorber in the thigh bone and shinbone area. If you suddenly twist your knee while playing sports or attempting other strenuous moves, the meniscus can be torn, causing intense and long-lasting pain. Regular visits with our physical therapist can help to reduce your symptoms.

Ready to get started on a treatment plan?

Depending on the severity of your injury, physical therapy can provide a safe, non-invasive and holistic treatment option.

Physical therapy treatments for hip and knee pain may include stretching and strengthening, balance training, joint mobilization, electrical stimulation and more.

Our physical therapist will work with you to tailor a treatment plan that works to fit your specific lifestyle needs and can also help to create a comprehensive home exercise routine that will help you to maintain a better quality of life between appointments.

The sooner you seek physical therapy for knee or hip pain, the better. Research shows that patients who rehab their hip or knee pain with physical therapy within 15 days of symptom onset have less need for pain injections, medications, or surgical intervention.

Contact Goodlife Physical Therapy today to schedule your free initial physical therapy consultation.

Tired of Your Hip and Knee Pain? Find Lasting Relief with Physical Therapy

The knee is considered a hinge joint while the hip is a ball-and-socket joint. They are both complex joints with a network of muscles, tendons, ligaments, bone, and cartilage all working together to keep you moving. With this many moving parts it’s not surprising that as we age or engage in strenuous activity that we sometimes experience pain. When you’re suffering from hip or knee pain it can make doing even the most basic daily activities difficult. Understanding the causes of hip and knee problems is often the key to effectively treating them. If you’re struggling with hip or knee pain a physical therapist can help you reduce or even eliminate the amount of pain you’re experiencing.

What are the Sources of Hip and Knee Pain?

Hip Pain – Hip pain can be caused by a variety of medical conditions as well as from certain injuries. Inflamed tendons from over-exertion or an athletic injury can cause temporary or chronic hip pain. Tendinitis, dislocation, sprains, and pinched nerves can all contribute to or be the cause of hip pain. Hip pain may also result from repetitive injuries or poor posture.

Knee Pain – Injuries that include torn cartilage or damaged ligaments can cause knee pain. Fractures, tendinitis, and knee bursitis are all common knee injuries. Medical conditions such as arthritis or gout can cause mild to severe knee pain. You may be experiencing stiffness or swelling in one or both knees. It might be difficult to stand, walk, or fully straighten your knee. Sometimes knees will make popping or crunching noises.

What Types of Treatment are Often Used?

Pain Medication – Prescription pain meds are sometimes 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 – Recovery from surgery can be painful and extensive. There’s always the chance of 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. 

What Can Physical Therapy do for You?

Physical therapy can offer a non-invasive solution for both hip and knee pain. A physical therapist would likely begin by conducting an evaluation. For knee pain an evaluation would probably focus on the area from the hip to the foot. An evaluation for hip pain would likely include a spinal evaluation as well. For both types of pain an evaluation might include range of motion and strength measurements. The physical therapist may also do a gait evaluation and mobility tests. An individualized physical therapy program would then be created for your specific needs. 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.

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. A variety of exercises and stretches are also used to treat knee pain. Other treatments a physical therapist may use include ultrasound or electric stimulation. 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. Physical therapy can help you find lasting relief from hip or knee pain.

Physical Therapy After Total Knee Replacements

Physical Therapy after Total Knee Replacement Surgery

When undergoing physical rehabilitation from a surgery such as a total knee arthroplasty (replacement) it is important to know what rehab pathways are available for you given the most up-to-date evidence. Typically, after a total knee arthroplasty (TKA) surgeons will prescribe home-health physical therapy. A licensed physical therapist will come to your house to help initiate early mobility and improve function of the surgical leg for about 1-2 weeks. Home health physical therapy is then typically followed by outpatient physical therapy in the clinic for another 6-8 weeks to continue progress. However, more recently we have been seeing patients in the clinic 1-5 days following surgery!

Early Out Patient Physical Therapy…..Is it too aggressive? Will it cause damage to the surgical area?

Well the truth is that it is just as safe and may be more beneficial than the traditional rehabilitation pathway.

Research Findings:

  • Patients who elected for an outpatient vs inpatient surgery saved approximately 30% on their medical bills (prior to the start of physical therapy)
  • Patients who attend outpatient physical therapy immediately following surgery:
    • Demonstrate better knee range of motion by 10 deg
    • Met their rehab goals on avg 20 days sooner

However, direct to outpatient isn’t for everyone and there are a lot of factors that you will have to discuss with your orthopedic surgeon to make sure this is the best option for you. Some of the factors included are: your past medical history, home life, caretakers/support system, transportation, convenient access to physical therapy clinic, and independence with activities of daily living prior to surgery. 

If you have any additional questions regarding Physical Therapy following a knee replacement please feel free to contact us. 

GoodLife Physical Therapy

 

References

  • Mcginn T, Chughtai M, Khlopas A, et al. Early Outpatient Physical Therapy May Improve Range-of-Motion in Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty. J Knee Surg. 2017;30(7):618-621..
  • Warren M, Kozik J, Cook J, Prefontaine P, Ganley K. A Comparative Study to Determine Functional and Clinical Outcome Differences Between Patients Receiving Outpatient Direct Physical Therapy Versus Home Physical Therapy Followed by Outpatient Physical Therapy After Total Knee Arthroplasty. Orthop Nurs. 2016;35(6):382-390.
  • Brennan GP, Fritz JM, Houck LT, Hunter SJ. Outpatient rehabilitation care process factors and clinical outcomes among patients discharged home following unilateral total knee arthroplasty. J Arthroplasty. 2015;30(5):885-90.
  • Kolisek FR, Mcgrath MS, Jessup NM, Monesmith EA, Mont MA. Comparison of outpatient versus inpatient total knee arthroplasty. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2009;467(6):1438-42.
  • Huang A, Ryu JJ, Dervin G. Cost savings of outpatient versus standard inpatient total knee arthroplasty. Can J Surg. 2017;60(1):57-62.
 
 
 
 
 

Find Relief for Your Hip and Knee Pain with Physical Therapy

Your hips and knees provide complex movements for the body by incorporating multiple joints, muscles, and tendons. When there is damage to any of those joints, muscles, or tendons, it can make moving the hips or knees increasingly difficult.

Luckily, with the help of physical therapy, you can find relief for your hip and knee pain, in addition to decreasing your chances of sustaining further injury in the future. For more information on how our services can benefit you, schedule a consultation today!

How does physical therapy work?

No matter what condition is causing your hip and knee pain, a physical therapy program can help relieve your pain. Your physical therapist will evaluate your condition and create an individualized treatment plan to meet your specific needs. Range of motion and strength measurements may be taken during the physical therapy evaluation. There are several treatment methods a physical therapist may use to help limit or relieve both knee and hip pain, including:

  • Manual therapy. A physical therapist might use hands-on techniques to reduce pain in your hips and knees, including stretching exercises or a variety of massage techniques.
  • Ice and heat therapies. Ice is typically used to reduce swelling and inflammation, while heat is typically used to increase mobility and lessen pain.
  • Home exercises. A physical therapist can teach you exercises to do at home, in order to alleviate your hip and knee pain. Physical therapy techniques can be incorporated into a home exercise program that can become part of your daily routine.
  • Ultrasound therapy. A physical therapist may use ultrasound to provide deep heating in the tissues and identify any problem areas.
  • Laser therapy. Laser therapy is increasingly being used in physical therapy for pain management. It can help increase circulation, reduce swelling, and improve the growth and reproduction of cells.

What conditions can physical therapy treat?

There are several specific conditions that physical therapy can treat. These can occur due to repetitive motion, traumatic injury, or chronic disease. The most common conditions causing hip and knee pain include:

  • Arthritis. Arthritis is a condition that results in the inflammation of tissues surrounding the joints. This condition can cause knee and hip pain if it develops in those joints. A physical therapist can teach you correct posture and proper movement techniques to protect your joints and relieve arthritic pains.
  • Bursitis. Bursitis occurs when a small sac of fluid, known as the “bursa,” becomes inflamed. This is often caused by overuse or repetitive injuries. Bursitis can occur in a variety of locations in the body, including the hips and knees. Physical therapy can aid in recovery and the reduction of pain.
  • Meniscus tears. This is one of the most common knee injuries that people experience. A torn meniscus can cause mild to severe pain, swelling, and stiffness. This condition can occur as the result of either a sudden injury or repetitive motions. You’re at a higher risk of sustaining a meniscus tear if you’re engaging in a sport or hobby that requires aggressive pivoting and twisting of your legs. A physical therapist can provide non-surgical treatment for a torn meniscus.
  • Sprains and strains. Sprains occur when a ligament is stretched beyond its limits, while strains occur when a muscle or tendon is beyond its limits. It is also possible for ligaments to rupture, which can cause pain, bruising, and limited mobility. A physical therapist can help you recover quickly while showing you exercise techniques to reduce pain.

Schedule your consultation today!

If you’re looking to achieve an active and pain-free life, schedule your consultation today. One of our dedicated physical therapists would be happy to meet with you and design an individualized treatment plan to fit your needs. Contact us today to find out how you can say goodbye to your hip and knee pain, and begin living the life you want, free from limitations!