The Connection Between Hip and Knee Pain

The Connection Between Hip and Knee Pain

And How Physical Therapy Can Help!

Did you know that for a lot of people, their knee pain is not actually due to a problem with the knee, but one with the hip? At Lycoming Physical Therapy, we frequently observe that a problem originating in the hip can be first felt as knee pain and vice versa.     

You might wonder how this is possible. The answer lies in what’s known as the kinetic chain, where the hip and knee joints work together. The interconnection means that an imbalance or dysfunction in one joint can lead to compensation and pain in the other. The good news is our therapists can help you figure out the source of your pain and, more importantly, guide you back to health.

To move towards a healthier, active life, we recommend you consult with one of our physical therapists as soon as possible!

At Lycoming Physical Therapy, we believe in a holistic approach to healing. As musculoskeletal experts, we are trained to pinpoint the root cause of your condition, differentiate between hip and knee pain, and develop a plan that addresses the whole person, not just the symptom.

 The Telltale Signs of Hip Pain 

• Localized Discomfort and Stiffness: Hip pain generally starts as a localized discomfort in the groin area, often accompanied by stiffness restricting the range of motion. As the severity worsens, this pain can sometimes extend to the thigh and even the knee.

• Morning Stiffness: One of the most commonly reported symptoms is morning stiffness, which typically eases as the day progresses. 

• Difficulty in Performing Daily Activities: Individuals with hip pain often find it challenging to bend over to tie shoes or pick up objects from the floor. This pain can intensify during movements like getting up from a seated position or walking uphill.

 Classic Indicators of Knee Pain 

• Localized Pain and Swelling: A primary indicator of knee issues is localized pain, often accompanied by swelling. This can be especially noticeable after prolonged periods of activity. 

• Stiffness and Reduced Range of Motion: Another hallmark of knee pain is stiffness, which often restricts the knee’s range of motion. 

• Popping or Crunching Noises: Experiencing popping or crunching noises during knee movement is a sign that shouldn’t be ignored, as these sounds often signify underlying knee issues. 

• Difficulty in Bearing Weight: A large number of individuals with knee pain report difficulty bearing weight on the affected knee. This is often described as a feeling of weakness or instability, making activities such as climbing stairs or even simple walking difficult.

While interconnected, the hip and knee are distinct structures with unique roles in our body’s movement and different responsibilities. Understanding these differences is vital in diagnosing and treating pain effectively. This is where the expertise of our physical therapists can help. 

Meet Tom Janca, PT

“Having been born in the Chicagoland area back in 1967, I vowed from a very early age to grow up and move away to a “big city” area of the country without sub-zero freezing weather and ice storms in the winter. So how did I end up moving to the little hamlet of Arnot, PA (pop. 350) and working in Montoursville? Earning my BS degree in Exercise Science at Southern Illinois University seemed to be my ticket to independence.

Unfortunately, I found personal fitness training less fulfilling than I thought it would be. Years later, after I completed prerequisite coursework in the midwest, I moved to Philadelphia to attend Arcadia University and earn a Master’s degree in physical therapy by 2000. Wouldn’t you know it…my first physical therapy job offer was in a little town called Wellsboro, PA. From Chicago to…little town Wellsboro? Since I was a “big city kind of guy”, small town charm didn’t seem too charming. But I took the job anyway (determined to move back to a big city the next year). As fate would have it, two months after moving to Wellsboro, I met my “wife to be” in November 2000. We married in November 2001 and moved to Arnot, PA in 2003. Since then we’ve had three kids — Joshua, Abigail, and Josiah. In time, I learned that many of the “perks” of city life (crowded streets, pollution, traffic congestion and high taxes) weren’t as attractive as hunting, hiking, trees, wide-open spaces, and wildlife. We still reside in Arnot but now I work at Lycoming Physical Therapy in Montoursville and very much appreciate rural life and small town charm.”