Our hips and knees are two of the hardest-working joints in our bodies and are constantly on the go, so it’s no surprise that when something’s not quite right as you’re chasing after the kids, smashing out a run, getting off the couch or simply moving about, you can really feel it.
At Life Ready Physio + Pilates, we see plenty of people through our doors struggling with hip and knee pain which is why we’re committed to helping you get back on your feet sooner rather than later.
Why do my hips and knee hurt?
Hip and knee pain can come from a bunch of different sources and it’s not always a known injury. Sometimes it’s due to age related changes while other times it’s your body’s way of saying to move a little differently. Some of the most common reasons why we see people with hip or knee pain include:
- Osteoarthritis: A whole joint disease that makes moving feel stiff or painful
- Tendon and ligament issues: Inflammation or irritated tendons around the hip or knee
- Injuries: From specific events such as a sporting incident, falls or accidents
- Overuse or poor movement co-ordination: Repeated stress of an unaccustomed activity or unhelpful movements or postures
- Muscle weakness or imbalance: When supporting muscles aren’t doing their job leading to greater demand in the hip or knee joints
- Referred pain: Sometimes pain that starts in your lower back can send discomfort into your hip or knee
Who does hip or knee pain affect?
While hip and ankle pain can show up for anyone, there are a few groups who are more likely to be affected than others:
- Older adults (especially those with osteoarthritis)
- Athletes and gym-goers
- People with old injuries that didn’t heal well
- Anyone with a sedentary lifestyle
- People with physical jobs that involve lifting or repetitive movement
How common is hip and knee pain?
Osteoarthritis affects roughly 2.1 million of Australians1, or about 1 in 12 people. And the older we get, the more likely it is to surface. In fact, nearly half of Australians over the age of 75 (48.9%) are living with some form of arthritis.2 Similarly, we see many, many clients each year in our clinics battling hip or knee pain. It’s quite common, but the good news is there’s a lot we can do to help manage it.
How can physio help hip or knee pain?
Physiotherapy is a safe, effective and proven way to manage hip and knee pain and our approach at Life Ready is always personalised to your goals, educational and committed so you can keep moving towards your best quality of life.
Our physiotherapists will take the time to understand your history, assess how your body moves and create a treatment plan that works for you. This might include:
First line management strategies:
- A thorough assessment to help rule out anything rare, but serious goings on and to help understand all the contributing factors to your pain or discomfort
- Individualised education to help you understand your pain and treatment plan
- Physical activity and exercise, which are both highly recommended to reduce pain and improve quality of life
Secondary management strategies
These therapies all provide short term benefits or “windows of reduced pain” to allow you to better apply the first line management strategies outlined above. They include:
- Pain relief medication
- Manual therapy techniques such as joint mobilisations, soft tissue release and dry needling
- Bracing or strapping
The GLA:D® program
For those with hip or knee osteoarthritis, programs like GLA:D® (Good Life with osteoArthritis: Denmark) offer an evidence-based combination of education and supervised exercise that has been shown to significantly reduce pain and give you more confidence to move without worry. Research from the GLA:D® program in Australia shows an average pain reduction of 36%3, reduced reliance of pain medication and a reduction in perceived need for surgery.
The GLA:D® program is available at most of our Life Ready locations, and depending on your private health fund, may be fully covered. Click here to learn more about the GLA:D® program at Life Ready Physio + Pilates.
Let’s get you “life ready”
Our goal is simple: to help you move better, feel stronger and keep doing the things you love, so whether your hip or knee pain is new, old, mild or intense, it’s always worth getting it looked at by one of our Life Ready physiotherapists.
Book online now at your closest Life Ready location now or phone any of our friendly reception teams to learn more about how we can help you or someone close to you.
References
1 https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/chronic-musculoskeletal-conditions/osteoarthritis
2 https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-conditions-and-risks/arthritis/latest-release
3 https://gladaustralia.com.au/
