Hip & Knee Conditions

Between the hip joint which is the largest joint in the body because of its role to hold all the bodies weight and the knee joint which allows us to run, walk, play sport and complete day to day activities, these joints are susceptible to many conditions as a result of injury and disease.

The hip is a ball and socket joint whereby the ball sits at the top of the thigh bone and fits into the socket of the pelvic girdle. Both the ball and socket are lined with cartilage and sealed within a tough synovial capsule that contains a fluid to aid in smooth motion. Ligaments are also in place to firmly hold the ball in place within the socket with muscles overlaying the ligaments.

Hip Conditions

1. Disease

The most common form of arthritis to affect the hips is osteoarthritis. This disease leads to degeneration of the joint cartilage and changes the bones underlying the joint. It is a well known condition that is prevalent in many areas of the body including the spine, shoulders, fingers, knees, ankles, feet and toes.

Other forms of disease that also affect the hip include rheumatoid arthritis, an immune mediated condition that causes inflammation in the synovial joints.

2. Fracture

Older people are more prone to fractures of the hip because as we age our bones become less dense making them soft and brittle. In some cases disease can cause the excessive loss of bone tissue making us more prone to fractures.

3. Soft Tissue Pain

Pain in the hip joint may also be caused from a range of soft tissues structures that surround the joint including muscles, tendons and bursae or pain may be referred from a back problem into the side of this hip.

The knee is a hinge joint that is situated between the thigh bone and shin bone. Contraction of the muscles on the front of the thigh straightens the leg while contraction of the muscles on the back of the thigh allows the leg to bend at the knee.

The knee joint is cushioned by cartilage and the bones are held together by ligaments. The whole knee structure is then enclosed in a capsule lined with membrane and fluid with synovial fluid for smooth motion.

Knee Conditions

1. Sprains

Ligament sprains can occur as a result of sudden twists or excessive force to the knee joint. When ligaments are stretched beyond their capacity they may tear causing more damage within the knee. The anterior cruiate ligament, known as ACL, is positioned within the centre of the knee joint and is the ligament that is most commonly damaged.

2. Tears

Tendon tears and cartilage tears are quite common in knees. A tendon tear will heal itself without the need for surgery but cartilage tears may require surgical intervention. One of the most common knee injuries is a torn meniscus (cartilage) as a result of severe impact or twisting.

3. Patello-femoral Pain Syndrome

This is a condition that comes on gradually over time. Pain is usually located behind the kneecap and can be exacerbated by squatting, walking up and down hills or climbing stairs, or sitting for extended periods of time. Imbalances in muscle strength, tight muscles and structural abnormalities in the lower limbs can affect how the knee cap moves when the leg is bent or straightened causing pain.