Joint pain, including knee pain and hip pain, can seriously affect your quality of life. Joint pain can impede movement, and make you less active or able to do things.
Fortunately, Healand Clinic can help. Our range of pain management treatments, administered by fully qualified professionals, can alleviate or help to manage a wide range of pain, including joint pains. Find a full range of our treatments, here.
Knee Pain
Knee pain is a common type of musculoskeletal pain that affects people of all ages. It can have various causes and can range from mild discomfort to severe pain that hinders daily activities. Here are some key points about knee pain:
Causes
Injuries
Knee pain is often caused by acute injuries such as sprains, strains, ligament tears (like anterior cruciate ligament or ACL tears), meniscus tears, or fractures. These injuries can occur during sports, accidents, or falls.
Overuse
Repetitive activities or overuse of the knee joint, such as running, jumping, or kneeling, can lead to knee pain. This includes conditions like patellofemoral pain syndrome (runner’s knee), tendinitis, or bursitis.
Osteoarthritis
Knee pain can be associated with osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease that causes the breakdown of cartilage. Osteoarthritis commonly affects older adults and can lead to chronic knee pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced range of motion.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that can affect the knee joint, leading to inflammation, pain, and stiffness.
Other conditions
Knee pain can also be caused by other conditions such as gout, infection, dislocation, iliotibial band syndrome, or patellar tracking disorder.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Pain
Knee pain can range from a dull ache to sharp, stabbing pain. The location, intensity, and duration of the pain may vary depending on the underlying cause.
Swelling and stiffness
The knee joint may become swollen, and stiffness can limit movement.
Clicking or popping
Some individuals may experience clicking, popping, or grinding sensations during knee movement.
Limited mobility
Knee pain can restrict mobility and make it difficult to walk, climb stairs, or engage in physical activities.
How can Healand help with knee pain?
To diagnose the cause of knee pain, a Healand clinician may perform a physical examination, review your medical history, and order imaging tests such as X-rays, MRI, or ultrasound.
Sometimes, additional diagnostic procedures like an arthroscopy (a minimally invasive procedure to visualize the inside of the knee joint) may be necessary.
We offer a range of therapies that can help with knee pain caused by the various mechanisms
described above. Please book a consultation using the form at the bottom of this article to discuss this further with us.
Hip Pain
Hip pain is a common complaint that can affect individuals of all ages, from young athletes to older adults. It can be caused by various factors and may range from mild discomfort to severe pain that interferes with daily activities. Here is an overview of hip pain:
Causes
Osteoarthritis
Hip osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease characterized by the breakdown of cartilage in the hip joint. It commonly affects older adults and can lead to pain, stiffness, decreased range of motion, and difficulty with walking or bearing weight.
Hip fractures
Fractures of the hip, often seen in older individuals with weakened bones (osteoporosis), can cause sudden and severe hip pain. Hip fractures usually require immediate medical attention and may necessitate surgery.
Bursitis
Hip bursitis is the inflammation of the bursae, small fluid-filled sacs that cushion the hip joint. It can result from repetitive motions or direct trauma to the hip and typically causes pain on the outside of the hip.
Tendinitis
Tendinitis occurs when the tendons in the hip joint become inflamed or irritated, often due to overuse or repetitive activities. This condition can cause pain in the front, side, or back of the hip.
Muscle strains or tears
Strained or torn muscles, such as the hip flexors or adductors, can cause hip pain. These injuries can occur during sports, physical activities, or sudden movements.
Hip labral tears
The labrum is a ring of cartilage that lines the hip socket, providing stability to the joint. Tears in the labrum can cause hip pain, clicking or locking sensations, and limited range of motion.
Hip impingement
Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) occurs when there is abnormal contact between the ball and socket of the hip joint, leading to pain, stiffness, and potential damage to the joint structures.
Other conditions
Other causes of hip pain may include infections, hip dysplasia, snapping hip syndrome, referred pain from the lower back or pelvis, or certain systemic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Hip pain can present with various symptoms, including:
Pain
Hip pain can range from a dull ache to sharp, stabbing pain. It may be felt in the hip joint, groin, outer hip, buttocks, or even radiate to the thigh or knee.
Stiffness and limited range of motion
The hip joint may feel stiff, and movements like walking or bending may become challenging.
Swelling and tenderness
Inflammation in the hip joint may cause swelling and tenderness around the hip area.
How can Healand help with hip pain?
To diagnose the cause of hip pain, a clinician at Healand Clinic will perform a physical examination, review your medical history, and may order imaging tests such as X-rays, MRI, or CT scans. Occasionally, diagnostic injections or arthroscopy may be used to evaluate the hip joint.
We offer a range of therapies that can help with hip pain caused by the various mechanisms
described above. Please book a consultation to discuss this further with us.
