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Causes of Knee and Hip Pain

by Garreth Myers
Both knee and hip pain are very common ailments, experienced by a lot of people at some point or the other. Very often, people feel pain affecting their hip and the knee simultaneously. The reason for that could be that both, the hip as well as the knee are located in fairly close proximity and a dysfunction in any one part of the body is quite likely to cause a dysfunction in the other part too.


Moreover, there are many muscles that are attached to the knee joints, as well as the hip joints. In case any of these muscles get strained for any reason, then pain is bound to be felt in both, the knee and the hip. Since the hip is one of the most mobile parts of the body, it is quite prone to injury, trauma and other such pain-causing factors.


This pain could then be transferred to the knee, or some of the other joints in the leg too, as a person’s gait may change a bit.

Given below are some of the most common causes of knee and hip pain:
  • Fractures: The hip and the knee, both mainly constitute the bone and hence, they are susceptible to factures, where the bone either cracks or breaks. While any type of injury or trauma can lead to a break in the bones, the most common cause of fractures includes a fall. Elderly people are more prone to suffering from fractures, as their bones are more brittle, or perhaps grow softer with age. In order to treat a fracture, a doctor needs to place the bone in a cast.
  • Muscle strains: The knee joint and hip joint are both surrounded by muscles. When any of the muscles get overworked or pulled, it could lead to a strain or a muscle pull. Most people experience this problem, when exercising, or while lifting a heavy weight while in a wrong posture. Time and a lot of rest are the best ways to treat a muscle strain.
  • Bursitis: There is a fluid sac, known as bursa, which is present in the knee and the hip. The main purpose of the bursa is to provide a cushion to the joints and the bones. Unfortunately, it is possible for the fluid in the bursa to get inflamed. At first, the pain in the knee and hip is subtle, but tends to worsen, over a period of time. It is best to consult a doctor, for the treatment of the inflammation causing the pain.
  • Tendonitis: The tendon can be described as a tissue, which has the consistency of a rubber band. It is very flexible and attaches the bones to the muscles. Unfortunately, it is possible for these tendons to tear, become inflamed or get irritated quite easily, leading to a very painful condition, known as Tendonitis. This problem usually occurs in people who are very active physically and do not get an adequate amount of rest. As people age, they become more prone to this problem. It is important to consult a doctor for ways to treat this condition.
  • Osteoarthritis: This is a medical condition, which leads to the destruction of the cartilage in the joints. When a person has osteoarthritis, the pain in the knee and hip tend to worsen, after engaging in any form of physical activity. Older people who complain from constant knee and hip pain are probably suffering from osteoarthritis. There are different ways in which one could deal with the pain caused by this condition.
Fortunately, most of the causes of knee and hip pain are treatable, with the right medication, certain lifestyle changes and the proper exercises. However, for more effective results, timely intervention is very important.

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