Knee Pain after Hip Surgery: Causes, Solutions
A physician cites three possible causes of knee pain following hip replacement surgery.
“Knee pain after hip surgery is a poorly-understood phenomenon,” says Devin B. Peck, MD, owner of Austin Interventional Pain in Austin, TX.
“A small retrospective study examined 13 patients who’d had hip replacement,” continues Dr. Peck. “Eight of the patients reported knee pain after the surgery.”
Three Possible Causes of Knee Pain after Hip Replacement Surgery
Dr. Peck explains, “Biomechanical measurements before and at six weeks after surgery [in the aforementioned study] did not demonstrate significant differences.
“Reasons for this phenomenon remain unclear, but may include changes in gait and leg length, and elimination of a greater pain-generator (hip), leading to more noticeable discomfort in the knee.
“Patients with severe hip osteoarthritis may develop a gait abnormality, known as Trendelenburg gait, due to weakness in the hip abductor muscles.
“This gait can lead to uneven pressures across the knee joint, and resulting arthritis in that joint.”
Hip abductor muscles are located on the outer side of your hips and are primarily responsible for moving your leg away from your body’s midline.
Solutions to Knee Pain Following a Total Hip Replacement Surgery
“The best way to optimize outcome after any joint surgery is to optimize preoperative conditioning,” says Dr. Peck.
This means “participation and compliance with a formal PT program along with home exercises (very important!).”
If the patient has excess body weight, then losing this weight will also help relieve some of the pain, since the knee, being the most unstable joint in the entire body, is very sensitive to excess body fat.
Hence, even a 10 percent weight loss will yield some improvement in the way this joint feels.
The patient may believe that fat loss is impossible due to limitations in the ability to use the lower body.
However, upper body strength training exercises will facilitate fat loss.
By engaging in these exercises, you build lean muscle mass, which increases your overall metabolism.
This enhanced metabolic rate helps your body burn more calories, both during exercise and at rest.
This loss of body fat is so important for anyone who’s struggling with knee pain following surgery of the hip.
And of course, consuming fewer calories will get weight loss going.
This deficit forces your body to burn stored fat for energy.
Consuming fewer calories begins with replacing soda with water; juice with whole fruit; more home cooking and less fast-food, and mindful eating: the avoidance of eating for reasons other than hunger, such as when watching TV or using the computer.
Remember, even a 10% weight loss can improve knee discomfort that has resulted from a hip surgery.
Upper Body Strength Training Exercises
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Dr. Peck’s areas of interest include chronic and acute musculoskeletal pain, sports injuries, arthritis and cancer pain, among many others. Austin Interventional Pain was established in 2019.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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Top image: Freepik.com
How Long Does Knee Arthroscopy Rehab Take?
“There is a great deal of variability in terms of length of time taken to recover from knee arthroscopy,” explains Devin B. Peck, MD, owner of Austin Interventional Pain.
Dr. Peck continues, “This variability depends on both patient factors, including age, pre-operative physical condition and compliance with rehabilitation, as well as procedure factors, i.e., what type of repair is performed.
“In a patient with good pre-procedure fitness, recovery from simple arthroscopy including washout of debris but not requiring repair of major ligaments, can take as little as two to four weeks.
“Recovery from large repairs, such as of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), can take several months.”
Really bad ACL injuries can take about nine months to completely recover from as far as returning to pre-injury athletic activity.
Dr. Peck’s areas of interest include chronic and acute musculoskeletal pain, sports injuries, arthritis and cancer pain, among many others. Austin Interventional Pain was established in 2019.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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Top image: Shutterstock/kazoka
Hip Pain when Standing Up: Causes & Solutions
“Hip pain present while standing may represent degenerative joint disease (osteoarthritis) of the hip,” says Devin B. Peck, MD, oowner of Austin Interventional Pain in Austin, TX.
The hip joint consists of a ball-and-socket design. The bone “ball” is not supposed to make contact with the bone of the socket.
There’s cartilage in between to prevent this. Wearing down of the cartilage is what occurs in osteoarthritis. Wearing down means less shock absorption.
Sometimes the cartilage is so worn down that these bony portions begin rubbing against each other, causing hip pain, including when you stand up.
Dr. Peck explains, “Risk factors include obesity, advanced age or prior trauma. This is the most common cause of hip pain in people over age 65 and can present as groin or thigh pain.”
Another risk factor is lack of weight-bearing exercise such as leg presses, squats and walking lunges.
“Severe, sudden onset of severe hip pain which may occur only with standing should raise concern for hip fracture.
“This can occur without significant trauma in patients with osteoporosis.”
In fact, a hip fracture can be caused by standing up from a seated position in someone with very brittle bones.
“Trochanteric bursitis is another common cause of hip pain which can be present when standing up, walking, climbing steps, driving or lying on the side.”
Solutions
“If pain is due to osteoarthritis, exercises that strengthen the abductors of the hip (gluteus minimus, gluteus medius, vastus lateralis) are important,” says Dr. Peck.
“A simple exercise is to lie on your back with knees bent, squeeze the buttocks, and hold for five seconds for 30 reps.” See the image below of the bridge position.
Bridge hold. Freepik.com, Mangostar
“To make this more challenging, you can lift your pelvis up off the floor and hold for five seconds,” says Dr. Peck.
“Be sure to brace the abdominal muscles while doing this to avoid low back strain.”
Dr. Peck’s areas of interest include chronic and acute musculoskeletal pain, sports injuries, arthritis and cancer pain, among many others. Austin Interventional Pain was established in 2019.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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Top image: Shutterstock/HENADZI PECHAN
Does Knee Bursitis Always Cause Swelling?
You may be aware that bursitis of the knee can cause swelling, but is this necessarily so in every single case?
“Knee bursitis may or may not result in visible or even palpable swelling,” says Devin B. Peck, MD, owner of Austin Interventional Pain in Austin, TX.
Palpable refers to detecting the swelling by feeling with your fingers, whether or not you can visually detect it.
Dr. Peck adds, “The more superficial bursae [plural of bursa], such as the prepatellar, superficial infrapatellar or pes anserine bursae, are more likely to lead to swelling that can be seen without MRI or CT scan.”
Another condition of the knee, chondromalacia patella (sometimes referred to as patellofemoral syndrome) may produce symptoms that make a person wonder if indeed the problem is actually bursitis.
The symptoms have some overlap, and chondromalacia of the patella does not cause swelling – just like sometimes, bursitis won’t cause swelling.
What to Do if Your Knee Starts Swelling
• Rest and Avoid Strain: Limit activities that put pressure on the knee to prevent aggravating the swelling.
Avoid walking long distances or engaging in strenuous activities that can worsen the condition.
• Apply Ice: Use an ice pack wrapped in a cloth and apply it to the swollen area for 15-20 minutes every 2-3 hours during the first 48 hours. This can help reduce inflammation and numb the pain.
• Elevate the Knee: Keep the affected knee elevated above heart level as much as possible. This helps reduce fluid buildup and encourages proper blood flow.
• Compression: Use an elastic bandage or knee brace to provide gentle compression.
This can help control swelling and provide support. Ensure the bandage isn’t too tight, as it could impede circulation.
• Over-the-Counter Medications: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen or naproxen, can help reduce pain and swelling.
Follow the dosage instructions on the label and consult with a healthcare provider if you have any health conditions or are taking other medications.
• Seek Medical Attention: If swelling persists for more than a few days, is severe, or is accompanied by other symptoms such as significant pain, difficulty moving the knee, or a fever, seek medical evaluation.
Persistent or severe swelling might indicate an underlying injury, infection, or chronic condition that needs professional assessment and treatment.
• Gentle Exercises and Stretching: Once the initial swelling decreases, gentle range-of-motion exercises and stretching can help restore flexibility and strength.
Consult a healthcare provider or physical therapist for appropriate exercises that won’t aggravate the condition.
Dr. Peck’s areas of interest include chronic and acute musculoskeletal pain, sports injuries, arthritis and cancer pain, among many others. Austin Interventional Pain was established in 2019.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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Top image: Shutterstock/DeepMeaning
Crunching Sound from Knees: Causes, Solutions
“Crunching sound in the knee is referred to by physicians as crepitus,” says Devin B. Peck, MD, owner of Austin Interventional Pain in Austin, TX.
What causes a crunching sound in the knees?
Dr. Peck explains, “It is typically caused by the rubbing of cartilage on the joint surface or other soft tissues around the knee during joint movement.
“When crepitus is painful, it may represent the sliding of an irregular, damaged or degenerated ligament.
“It can also indicate damage or irregularity in one of the menisci (plural of meniscus), the pads of cartilage which cushion the inner and outer aspects of the knee joint.”
If the crunching sound in your knee or both of them is not accompanied by any discomfort, there is no reason to be concerned.
Dr. Peck says, “Benign, painless crepitus is common and requires no treatment.
“However, painful crepitus can indicate degenerative arthritis, inflammatory arthritis (like rheumatoid arthritis) or an injury to one of the ligaments or menisci.”
Solutions
“Treatment will depend on the cause, but may include physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, injections or surgery.”
Which means, if you’re seeking solutions to a crunching noise in one or both knees that is also accompanied by pain or even a feeling of instability, it’s time to see a doctor to find out exactly what is wrong.
Dr. Peck’s areas of interest include chronic and acute musculoskeletal pain, sports injuries, arthritis and cancer pain, among many others. Austin Interventional Pain was established in 2019.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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Top image: Shutterstock/thebigland
Can Knee Bursitis Cause Pain ONLY when Kneeling?
Is that knee pain you get only when kneeling possibly caused by bursitis in this joint?
“Infrapatellar bursitis can lead to pain while kneeling,” says Devin B. Peck, MD, owner of Austin Interventional Pain in Austin, TX.
Dr. Peck explains, “In fact, superficial infrapatellar bursitis is commonly known as ‘clergyman’s knee’ or ‘plumber’s knee,’ a reference to kneeling.
“Prepatellar bursitis can also lead to pain with kneeling, although it can also result in non-painful swelling over the kneecap. Prepatellar bursitis is sometimes known as housemaid’s knee.’”
Be aware that another condition, unrelated to bursitis, can cause pain in the knee only when kneeling.
It’s called chondromalacia patella or patellofemoral syndrome.
However, this condition usually also causes discomfort when going up stairs, running, jogging and/or sometimes jumping.
The discomfort may be a strong or dull ache and/or a sensation of fullness or tightness under the kneecap.
Dr. Peck’s areas of interest include chronic and acute musculoskeletal pain, sports injuries, arthritis and cancer pain, among many others. Austin Interventional Pain was established in 2019.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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Top image: Shutterstock/ThamKC
Wrist Pain While Lifting Weights: Causes, Solutions
A doctor provides causes and solutions to wrist pain while weightlifting.
What are the possible causes of wrist pain that is brought on during a weightlifting set?
“This can often be related to De Quervain’s tenosynovitis,” begins Asim S. Aijaz, MD, a board certified pain management specialist with Advanced Pain Care in Texas.
Dr. Aijaz continues, “This is pain along the radial (thumb) aspect of the wrist. While the exact cause is unknown, repetitive wrist movements can make it worse.
“It is often seen in new mothers who are lifting their babies repetitively. In weightlifting, hammer curls can reproduce this movement and can potentially aggravate the symptoms.”
When your wrists hurt during lifting weights, the tissue that’s involved usually relates to the tendons, as it does with De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, “but it may also be a problem in the joint such as with arthritis, or in the bone if there is a small fracture (more likely with impact exercises such as boxing or punching a heavy bag),” says Dr. Aijaz.
So which exercises should a person with wrist pain avoid doing?
Dr. Aijaz explains, “Hammer curls. Do supinated curls to relieve some of the stress along the radial aspect of the wrists.”
Supinated means palms facing forward when your arms are straight, and as you bring the dumbbells or barbell up, your palms are facing towards you.
Dr. Aijaz adds, “Avoid impact exercises. If doing burpees, make sure you are using proper form with the pushup part of the exercise and that you’re not hitting the ground too aggressively as you are approaching the pushup position of the exercise.
“Listen to your body, if you notice a certain repetitive exercise aggravates the pain, avoid it.”
What exercises can you do?
“If your pain persists you may benefit from having somebody evaluate your form to make sure you are not putting unnecessary stress on your wrists with common exercises such as pushups, bench press, curls,” says Dr. Aijaz.
“Sometimes it’s just a matter of proper hand positioning to reduce the stress: spreading out your fingers to distribute weight through your fingertips during pushups for example.”
If you’ve developed wrist pain in the course of your weightlifting regimen, ask yourself if this pain began after you one day decided to try an E-Z curl bar for biceps curls.
Though these bars are designed to reduce wrist strain, they can actually strain the wrists in someone who’s used to doing curls with a straight bar.
So if this describes you, abandon the E-Z curl bar and go back to the straight bar.
“Generally if the pain is related to a tendon issue or arthritis, one may find it beneficial to reduce the weight and adjust the form or take a break from exercises which stress the wrists,” says Dr. Aijaz.
“During your break from these exercises, you may find relief with ice and anti-inflammatories.
“As you’re getting back into your workout, you may consider wearing a wrist support and see if this helps in preventing the pain from returning.”
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
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“Occasionally patients with carpal tunnel syndrome will complain of hand and wrist pain that is exacerbated with weightlifting,” says Jonathan Oheb, MD, North Valley Orthopedic Institute, Chief of Orthopedic Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery.
Dr. Aijaz has been involved with the Texas Pain Society, Spine Injection Society and the American Society for Interventional Pain Physicians.
In addition to hand, elbow and shoulder care, Dr. Oheb provides comprehensive surgical and nonsurgical treatment for all orthopedic conditions of the hip, knee and ankle, including broken bones and injuries. jonathanohebmd.com
Lorra Garrick is a former personal trainer certified through the American Council on Exercise. At Bally Total Fitness she trained women and men of all ages for fat loss, muscle building, fitness and improved health.
Top image: Shutterstock/ruigsantos
Stabbing Shooting Pain in Achilles Tendon: Causes, Solutions
A doctor explains why your Achilles tendon has shooting, stabbing pain and what can be done to remedy this situation.
“Pain here is generally the result of tendonitis or inflammation of the Achilles tendon,” says Asim S. Aijaz, MD, a board certified pain management specialist with Advanced Pain Care in Texas.
He continues, “You can also develop tears in the tendon which would also cause tendonitis and pain.”
So how does this situation arise in the first place?
Dr. Aijaz explains, “As with tendonitis in other parts of the body, this is often related to repetitive use or over-exertion, causing tears or degenerative changes in the tendon.
“Bone spurs at the heel can also cause small tears in the fibers, causing Achilles tendon pain.
“Tight calf muscles can also result in increased stress on the Achilles tendon.”
Solutions
“Rest, ice, anti-inflammatories, appropriate stretching (generally the calf muscles) and appropriate shoes,” says Dr. Aijaz.
“If symptoms persist, physical therapy can be very helpful.”
Also keep yourself well-hydrated, as tendons don’t get a lot of water because they are not densely vascular.
In fact, their low level of vascularity is why it takes tendons much longer to heal than do muscles.
Dr. Aijaz has been involved with the Texas Pain Society, Spine Injection Society and the American Society for Interventional Pain Physicians.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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Top image: Shutterstock/Skumer
Red Swollen Feet after Running: Prevention
Here’s what a doctor says you can do to help prevent swollen, red feet after your running session.
“Make sure you have good shoes,” begins Asim S. Aijaz, MD, a board certified pain management specialist with Advanced Pain Care in Texas.
“Just because your shoes look beautiful and new doesn’t mean they’re still doing their job.
“The padding in shoes does wear out, and this padding is very important in helping to absorb the shock to your feet, knees, hips and back.
“A common recommendation to help avoid such overuse injuries is to increase your intensity or distance gradually, some say by roughly 10 percent per week.
“It’s also recommended to take breaks and rest one to two days per week to avoid overuse injuries.”
If after making these changes, you still suffer from swollen and red feet after your running workout, then this might be related to improper running mechanics.
And how can a person run “wrong”? One example is that of holding onto a treadmill.
Larry D. Moore
If you run on a treadmill, do not hold on other than for a momentary balance check or to change the setting.
Otherwise, sustained clinging onto the machine warps natural spinal alignment and messes up the gait pattern, right down to the feet.
If you can’t keep up with the tread without holding on, then use a slower speed.
Dr. Aijaz has been involved with the Texas Pain Society, Spine Injection Society and the American Society for Interventional Pain Physicians.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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Top image: Shutterstock/zoff
Electric Shock Feeling in Arms from Weightlifting: Causes
Stop wondering; HERE is what a doctor says causes an electric shock feeling in your arms when you lift weights.
“Feelings of electric shocks are often related to nerve irritation,” says Asim S. Aijaz, MD, a board certified pain management specialist with Advanced Pain Care in Texas.
“This could be secondary to the nerves being irritated in the neck where they leave the spine (cervical spine nerve roots) or at some point beyond that as the nerves course through the arms,” continues Dr. Aijaz.
“Other vulnerable areas include the shoulders, elbows and wrists.”
Solutions?
Dr. Aijaz explains, “Make sure you have proper technique when you are exercising. If a particular exercise causes this pain, avoid that exercise.”
You may also want to try a different piece of equipment for the same joint motion.
For example, if you’ve been suffering from electric shock sensations in your arms whenever you do preacher curls, then try standing barbell curls in which your arms and elbows are not pressing into a surface.
Freepik.com, Racool_studio
But if the symptom persists even if you’re not pressing a muscle group or limb into a surface, then avoid that exercise for a while.
Dr. Aijaz adds, “If you believe in the idea of ‘No pain, no gain,’ you should reconsider this philosophy when it comes to pains which feel like electric shocks.
“Nerves are very slow to heal when injured. If this electric shock sensation persists, you should see your doctor.”
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Dr. Aijaz has been involved with the Texas Pain Society, Spine Injection Society and the American Society for Interventional Pain Physicians.
Lorra Garrick is a former personal trainer certified by the American Council on Exercise. At Bally Total Fitness she trained clients of all ages for fat loss, muscle building, fitness and improved health.
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