Hip pain occurs in many people with its causes varied. It can be caused directly by the hip joint, or by the muscles, ligaments, and tendons that surround the joint. Hip pain can occur from many different causes such as, tendonitis, labral tears, arthritis, falls, and sciatica.
Signs and Symptoms:
- Pain in the joint or surrounding area including the groin
- Popping noise with movement
- Difficulty bearing full weight on leg due to pain
- Stiffness or decreased range of motion
- Leg weakness
Physical Therapy Treatment:
Depending on the cause of your hip pain and if you were surgical, the physical therapists at Active Care Rehab will work with you to design a plan of care containing stretching, strengthening, and gait and balance stability exercises. You will work closely together with your therapist to return to your daily activities without any discomfort or pain.
Knee Pain
Knee pain is a very common problem. One in three Americans over the age of 45 suffers knee pain. Knee pain can occur from many different diagnoses, including impact injuries, tendonitis, torn ligaments or cartilage, or arthritis. Because of the knee's complexity, the number of structures involved, the amount of use it gets over a lifetime, and the range of injuries and diseases that can cause knee pain can vary widely.
Signs and Symptoms:
- Immediate pain that worsens when you try to walk or bend your knee
- Popping sound
- Inability to bear weight on the injured knee
- Feeling that the knee might buckle or give way
- Pain or swelling
- Difficulty with full range of motion
- Stiffness
- Weakness
Physical Therapy Treatment:
Treatment will differ depending on your diagnosis. Modalities will be used to decrease the inflammation occurring at the joint and increase your mobility. The physical therapist will assess your muscle strength and flexibility. A gait and balance assessment will also be important in determining a plan of care. Exercises to strengthen and stretch the knee as well as balance and gait training will be done.
Ankle Pain
Ankle pain can occur due to the intricate make-up of bones, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Your ankle has to be strong enough to bear all of your body weight each time you take a step. Ankle problems can be difficult to treat due to the longer healing time that can sometimes occur with some injuries. Most ankle pain, however, is the result of a sprain, which occurs when your ankle rolls over your foot, causing a ligament to stretch or tear. Though sprains are often sports-related, they can also occur when you walk on an uneven surface or simply take a misstep.
Signs and Symptoms:
- Dull ache or pain when pushing off your foot during walking
- Tenderness or stiffness around the ankle or Achilles tendon
- Difficulty moving the ankle
- Difficulty bearing weight
- Swelling or bruising of the ankle
- Tender to touch
Physical Therapy Treatment:
Most commonly, the therapist will use modalities and light exercises initially to decrease the pain and swelling that may be present. As treatment progresses, stretching, strengthening and balance exercises are incorporated into the program to help prevent recurring injury.
