Chronic knee and hip pain are more than just discomforts – they are debilitating conditions that can significantly impact mobility, daily activities and overall quality of life.
Chronic hip pain can arise from a variety of conditions affecting the joint itself, the surrounding soft tissues, or even referred pain, which is when pain originates from one location but is felt in other areas.
Common sources include:
• Osteoarthritis: age-related “wear-and-tear” of the hip joint cartilage.
• Rheumatoid arthritis: an autoimmune condition causing inflammation in the joint.
• Psoriatic arthritis: associated with psoriasis, leading to joint inflammation.
• Ankylosing Spondylitis: a type of arthritis that can cause hip and spine stiffness.
• Tendinitis: inflammation of the tendons around the hip, often caused by repetitive movements or strain (like iliopsoas tendinitis).
• Muscle strains or weakness: overuse, poor biomechanics, or weakness in muscles like the hip flexors, gluteals or hamstrings can lead to chronic pain.
• Fractures: Stress fractures or unhealed fractures, especially in older adults or athletes, can cause persistent pain.
• Referred pain: conditions in nearby areas like the lower back, pelvis or sacroiliac joint that can cause hip pain (like sciatica).
Chronic knee pain can result from various conditions affecting the joint, its surrounding structures or referred pain. Common sources include:
• Arthritis, including osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Psoriatic Arthritis: associated with psoriasis, causing joint pain and stiffness.
• Patellar tendinitis: Also known as jumper’s knee, this is inflammation of the tendon connecting the kneecap to the shinbone, often due to overuse in sports.
• Quadriceps tendinitis: Inflammation of the tendon connecting the quadriceps to the knee.
• Ligament injuries, especially anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries: often caused by sports-related trauma.
• Posterior cruciate ligament injury: this is an injury usually caused by a direct blow or fall.
• Medial or lateral collateral ligament injuries: these result from side impact or overuse.
• Meniscus tears: damage to the cartilage between the femur and tibia, often from twisting movements or degeneration with age.
• Muscle or tendon strains: overuse or injury to surrounding muscles or tendons, such as the hamstrings or calf muscles.
• Patellofemoral pain syndrome: Also known as runner’s knee, this is pain around or behind the kneecap, often from overuse, poor alignment or muscle imbalance.
Are they connected?
Chronic hip and knee pain are often interconnected because of the close functional relationship between the two joints in the lower kinetic chain. When one joint is affected, it can lead to pain or dysfunction in the other due to altered biomechanics, compensatory movements or referred pain.
The hip and knee work together to support weight, maintain balance and facilitate movement. They have shared biomechanics. When one joint is impaired, the other compensates, which can lead to overuse or stress-related pain. An example is a hip condition like osteoarthritis, which can alter gait and increase stress on the knee.
Additionally, muscle groups like the quadriceps, hamstrings, gluteals and iliotibial (IT) band cross both joints. Tightness, weakness or imbalances in these muscles can affect both joints, like when weak hip abductors can lead to increased stress on the knee joint, contributing to patellofemoral pain syndrome.
Shockwave regenerative therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses acoustic waves to stimulate natural noninvasive healing and alleviate pain in musculoskeletal conditions. When it comes to the aforementioned joints, shockwave therapy can be particularly effective for hip or knee pain in addressing soft tissue and tendon issues.
How it works
When undergoing shockwave regenerative therapy, high-energy sound waves are applied to the affected area using a handheld device.
These waves penetrate the tissues, stimulating biological and mechanical processes that promote healing. The shockwaves improve blood circulation in the treated area, enhancing the delivery of oxygen and nutrients necessary for tissue repair.
There are three types of shockwave regenerative therapy:
• Radial pulse wave therapy: This method targets depths up to six centimeters, fostering unparalleled repair across soft tissues like tendons, muscles and ligaments.
• Focused shock wave therapy: This delivers high-energy shockwaves that penetrate up to 12.5 centimeters, effectively treating deep tissue, joint, bone and calcification issues. Focused shock wave therapy is perfect for anyone with achy localized pain or tightness that exercise, physical therapy or occupational therapy can’t reach.
• Magneto-transduction therapy: electromagnetic fields are used to penetrate up to 18 centimeters to treat deep pain and inflammation while facilitating cellular repair of soft tissue, joints and bones. It effectively addresses fractures, osteoarthritis, herniated discs and carpal tunnel.
There are many benefits to shockwave regenerative therapy and it has an over 82% success rate (90% when all three techniques are used together with PT/OT).
Shockwave regenerative therapy reduces the need for expensive diagnostic tests (MRI, X-rays) and typically six sessions are needed, resulting in faster healing and quicker recovery times. Overall, it saves money and time as long-term results reduce future medical needs.
PhysioFit treats people with hip and knee pain with all three regenerative therapy devices as a stand-alone treatment and often in combination with physical or occupational therapy. Patients see more successful outcomes, spend less money, and heal faster. Don’t let chronic pain stop you from enjoying life. Live better, move better, feel better, and take the first step in healing.
Kim Gladfelter is the owner, physical therapist and pilates instructor at PhysioFit Physical Therapy & Wellness, 1000 Fremont Ave., Suite 108, Los Altos.
