Hip and Knee Pain

 

"How To Ease Knee Pain Even If Past Treatments Have Failed"

Don't let anything hold you back from living the lifestyle you desire. That's why we've created a solution specifically tailored to your needs.

Visit PREP Performance Center and get the best physical therapy treatments to relieve hip and knee pain.

Do you feel a sharp or nagging pain in your hip that makes walking, sitting, or even lying down a chore? Do you have a painful, unstable knee that feels as if it may buckle at any moment? Either of these sensations can seriously interfere with your lifestyle — and if you're experiencing both at the same time, you may find even simple tasks impossible. That's when it's time to turn to physical therapy. Our Chicago physical therapists can help you manage your hip and/or knee pain issues safely and without drugs or surgery, so contact PREP Performance Center in Lincoln Square, Irving Park, Lakeview, Horner Park, Roscoe Village & Ravenswood Chicago, IL today for an appointment!

What is hip and knee pain?

It can appear as either separate or combined phenomena. The hip is a ball-and-socket joint that relies on a number of strong muscles and other tissues to keep it mobile and stable as it supports the weight of your upper body. The knee is more of a hinge joint, generally confining itself to forward and backward motion. It must support even more weight than the hip joint while also allowing you to run, dance, walk, or stand.

Pain in either of these joints may originate in the joint itself, or it may be referred from another part of the body. A problem in the hip joint can transmit pain signals to the knee and vice versa. Since the knees and hips are both parts of your kinetic chain (the chain of weight-bearing joints that must work together for correct posture), an imbalance in one joint may create undue stress and deterioration in the other.

Causes of hip and knee pain

Because they contain similar structures and are subject to similar stresses, the knees and hips can suffer from many of the same disorders, injuries, and diseases. Both may suffer acute injuries such as strains, sprains, and dislocation. They are also subject to repetitive motion and overuse injuries, such as tendinitis and chronic muscle strain. Referred pain from a pinched sciatic nerve root can travel down through the hip to the knee, causing pain and other symptoms in both areas. An unbalanced stance or gait can cause abnormal stress and premature wear in both parts of the kinetic chain, resulting in arthritis.

Other pain problems are specific to one joint or the other. For instance, the Mayo Clinic notes that hip pain may issue from a cartilage injury called a labral tear, while knee pain may be due to bursitis (inflammation of the bursa sacs) in or around the knee joint. To make matters worse, a painful instability in your hip can cause knee problems. Tight hip flexor muscles and weak gluteus medius muscles can cause the hip to rotate inward without your realizing it. This puts stress on the knee and kneecap, causing painful issues such as patellofemoral stress syndrome and iliotibial band friction syndrome.

How physical therapy can help?

Physical therapy can often relieve (or greatly reduce) hip and knee pain, sparing you the need for medication or surgical correction. In addition to examining the hip and/or knee itself for signs of structural damage or misalignment, our Chicago physical therapists will also study your posture, stance, gait, and pain-free range of motion. We can then prescribe the right forms of physical therapy to help normalize joint function and relieve unnatural stresses and strains.

Exercises can help stabilize weak hip and knee tissues, potentially relieving pain in both joints. For example, research has shown that kneecap pain responds better to a combination of hip and knee strengthening exercises than it does to knee exercises alone. Exercises designed to strengthen your core (including lower abdominal, pelvic, and lower back muscle groups) can straighten your posture, equalizing the weight load on both sides of the body. Massage, heat, ice, laser therapy, and other soft tissue treatments can help promote healing and ease pain in damaged hip or knee tissues.

Ready to make friends with your hips and knees again? Contact Prep Performance Center Lincoln Square, Irving Park, Lakeview, Horner Park, Roscoe Village & Ravenswood Chicago, IL centers to schedule an evaluation!


Read more article: Why does my knee crack after my ACL surgery?


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What Our Patient's Say

What Other People Just Like You Are Saying About Prep Performance Physical Therapy Center In Chicago, Illinois
Audrey Maloney
Audrey Maloney
2023-03-02
During my college winter break, I came to PREP for help with a non-operative ACL tear, hoping to recover in time for my senior season. Working with Mary Kate was a game-changer. As a former college lacrosse player and skilled PT, Mary Kate's knowledge and ability to relate were unparalleled, and I loved every minute of working with her. Mary Kate's exceptional skill to identify the source of pain or discomfort and address it head-on has been invaluable. Her expertise and intuition helped me identify my areas of weakness and thanks to Mary Kate's guidance, I became more mindful and educated about my body, enabling me to take a more active role in my recovery. She has helped me come up with an individual treatment plan that suits my needs and concerns, equipped with exercises and tools that I could use at home. I highly recommend PREP Performance for any physical therapy needs. The entire staff at PREP is committed to taking care of and supporting their clients while providing individualized treatment. Scheduling was easy, and the environment was professional, friendly, and motivating. With Mary Kate and the PREP Performance team's support, I was able to return to the lacrosse field with confidence and am feeling great!
Samantha Korb
Samantha Korb
2023-02-14
As a hyper-flexible ex-gymnast of 16 years, I frequently experience daily back pain. Instead of just living with it, like I’ve been used to for so long, I now know I can count on Mary Kate’s expertise and magic hands to fix my ailments! Not only does she “fix me up,” but she also gives me tools and exercises to utilize at home since, unfortunately, I can’t take her home with me every day 🙂 I owe Mary Kate MUCH thanks for helping me live my life without back pain. DO NOT SLEEP ON MARY KATE @ PREP PERFORMANCE!!!
Rachel Lavin
Rachel Lavin
2023-02-14
As an older athlete, who practices martial arts and engages in other rigorous activities, I’ve learned over the years to identify the real deal. Mary Kate at prep performance center is the real deal and has become my go-to healer. Im so grateful for her expertise. If you have a physical problem she is definitely the one to see. One more thing, the whole environment at PREP is warm and friendly and welcoming. Yes, PREP Performance Center gets high marks from me! Rachel Lavin
Jane Thomsen
Jane Thomsen
2023-02-12
Dr MC is an outstanding Dr of Physical Therapy, extremely intuitive and she listens. Has helped me with various issues, resolving most in a short time
Grace Ronan
Grace Ronan
2023-02-02
Jack taught me how to do my favorite exercise- the paloof press- now i incorporate that into my daily workouts! If I could give 6 starts I would but there were only 5!
Meghan Keefer
Meghan Keefer
2022-11-22
After struggling for months with heel pain, I finally have my sanity back after just two visits with MK. Previous home therapies, a couple attempts at PT, a cortisone shot, and custom orthotics couldn’t fix what she tackled through targeted stretches, hands on manipulation, and dry needing. My only regret is not seeing her sooner!
Erin Purdue
Erin Purdue
2022-11-12
Mary Kate, Jack, and Nicoletta are so friendly and personable. Mary Kate is great at holding me accountable to doing exercises (and doing them correctly!) and challenging me in the midst of recovery so that I see results. The whole staff clearly care a lot about each patient and their progress.
Kristin l
Kristin l
2022-10-21
Mary Kate was incredible to work with! My daughter was having some leg pain…Mary Kate got to the bottom of it, was able to make resolve the issue and give her exercises, etc to prevent it from happening again! She is wonderful with children, so an added bonus. Highly recommend Mary Kate @ PPC.
Sidera Corry
Sidera Corry
2022-08-23
Prep Performance has done a great job of helping me regain strength after surgery and get to the position I need to be in for sports!
Joe Perez
Joe Perez
2022-08-11
As an athlete it is crucial to have a network and connection of professional physical therapist/performance enhancement specialist to help maintain an healthy physical condition. The entire staff at PREP Performance does an excellent job of taking care and assisting their clients. They are very meticulous on the details for their patients in assisting you for your recovery. Additionally they all have a great understanding that every client all have different needs for recovery and go above and beyond to help cater for each individual and not just putting together a universal plan that is sufficient for anyone. I would highly recommend their service to anyone.

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