The Connection Between Hip and Knee Pain

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 Prevail 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!

Your Guide to Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of Hip and Knee Pain
At Prevail 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!
Navigating the Path to Recovery with Prevail Physical Therapy
At Prevail Physical Therapy, our physical therapists will conduct a comprehensive evaluation, and distinguish whether you’re dealing with an issue in your hip, knee, or both.
After completing the evaluation, we’ll design a program focusing on the actionable steps you can take to ensure long-term relief and prevention of future injuries, including the following:
- Tailored Therapeutic Exercises: Our therapists will provide you with stretching and strengthening exercises to help restore your mobility and function. For example, eccentric training focuses on elongating a muscle under tension, proving particularly effective in strengthening muscles and improving mobility.
- Neuromuscular Re-education: This involves using exercises and manual techniques to restore normal muscle function and movement patterns. These techniques are especially effective in reducing pain and enhancing function, especially in individuals with hip and knee pain.
Our therapists go beyond the surface, digging deep into your symptoms to identify the underlying issues and determine the true origin of your pain, whether the hip, the knee, or both. Our goal is to build a program that helps you get back to living your best life!

Follow These Simple Steps to a Pain-Free Life
Are you ready to embrace a lifestyle that promises better mobility and less pain? At Prevail Physical Therapy, we are here to guide you every step of the way, fostering a future where you feel better, move better, and live better!
Call today to schedule an appointment!
Our Patients Get Great Results
“These PTs are professional, knowledgeable and great to work with. They can go beyond the scope of a specific injury/case to make sure the whole body is comfortable with new exercises. The front office/schedulers are also a pleasure to work with.”
– Barbara W.

Indoor Exercises for the Winter Months
It’s wintertime again, and rather than going into hibernation mode, maybe this year you can find some indoor exercises to keep you healthy and fit!
If you have been looking for some exercise suggestions that can help you make it through the winter months, look no further. At Prevail Physical Therapy, our physical therapists are movement experts and can guide you through the best types of exercises, depending on your goals.
According to the research, people take fewer steps per day, and less than half of all adults exercise in the winter. The main reason people use for not exercising outdoors is inclement weather, with rain being the biggest obstacle to getting outside and moving.
Although you can do some exercises all year, no matter the weather, if you are looking for some suggestions to try, consider the following:
- Yoga
- Pickleball
- Swimming or water aerobics
- Bootcamp or circuit training program
Try classes at your local fitness center, like Zumba or spinning classes, for more group-style indoor exercises. Try a CrossFit gym or a HITT (High Intensity Interval Training) program with Olympic-style lifting exercises if you want a more intense workout. Or, if you are looking for light (or even intense) competition, sign up for a sports league to play basketball, soccer, or volleyball.
If you are looking for a more traditional workout, there are treadmills and elliptical trainers in most fitness centers to get in and get your workout done quickly. Another great idea is to find a physical therapist to finally resolve your old aches and pains and set you up with a program tailored to your personal goals that considers your injuries and unique physical attributes.




Come Back to Physical Therapy at Prevail!
Feeling pain or slowed down? Come back to Prevail Physical Therapy for a personalized plan to get you strong, pain-free, and moving again!

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Quick & Easy Healthy Recipe
Slow-Cooked Ropa Vieja
Ingredients:
- 1 beef flank steak (2 pounds)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1/2 cup dry vermouth
- 1/2 cup dry red wine/additional beef broth
- 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 1 large carrot, sliced
- 1 small sweet red pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 Cubanelle or mild banana pepper, thinly sliced
- 3 sprigs fresh oregano
- Hot cooked rice
Directions:
Cut steak into 6 pieces; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat; brown meat in batches. Transfer meat to a 5- or 6-qt. slow cooker. Add broth, vermouth, wine and tomato paste to pan. Cook 2-3 minutes, stirring to loosen browned bits from pan. Pour over meat. Top with onion, carrot, red pepper, Cubanelle pepper and oregano. Cook, covered, on low until meat is tender, 8-10 hours. Remove oregano sprigs; discard. Remove meat; shred with 2 forks. Return to slow cooker; heat through. Serve with rice and, if desired, additional oregano, lime wedges and green olives.
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Our purpose at Prevail Physical Therapy is to leave a greater impact on the community around us. In order to achieve our goal we want to change as many lives as possible as we become a beacon of positivity in our community.















