Hip joints are our primary weight bearing joints.

Hip pain is common in people with all ages and all types of activity level. The niggle on the side of the hip can be persistent and frustrating. You may continue doing your daily routine and exercises, however one day you found that it is stopping you from doing what you love. What could possibly cause this hip pain? Can hip physio help?

Where is my hip pain coming from?

There are a number of possible structures as to where the source of your hip pain is. The hip joint itself is a large ball and socket joint in our body, supported by ligaments, muscles and a joint capsule. Your physio for your hip pain is able to help identify where your pain is originating from through detailed history taking and performing a number of specialised physical tests.

Common hip injuries:

Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (GTPS)

• GTPS is an umbrella term that involves different pathologies that lead to lateral hip pain. The primary cause of pain is the inflamed or torn tendon of gluteus medius muscle, which leads to inflammation of the bursa.

• Gluteus medius plays an important role as hip stabiliser, especially in single-leg activities (such as running). When this muscle is affected or poor biomechanics is present, it common to see issues down the chain, ie. the knee, ankle and foot. Generally tendons are designed to withstand high and repetitive load. However, when the load exceed one’s tolerance, tendons too can be stressed and cause pain.

• Bursa is a fluid-filled sack that normally provides a smooth surface for tendons to glide over. However when it is in unhappy state, it can cause significant pain and refer pain down the outside of the thigh.

Piriformis syndrome

Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI)

FAI refers to impingement between the femoral head (ball) and the acetabulum (socket) within the hip joint. Changes in hip structures cause the pain and are discussed below.

CAM lesion

Cam Lesion occurs in 78% of all incidences of people with FAI. It is an extra bone growth on the head of the femur. This extra bone growth causes a ‘bump’ and impinges on the acetabulum during joint movements. Patients may report:

• restrictions in hip movements, particularly in twisting and bending hip up

• deep hip and/or groin pain with twisting or pivoting motions

• pain and restrictions with deep squatting, sitting in a low chair, getting out of a car

• referred pain to the lower back and knee

Pincer

Pincer impingement makes up approximately 42% of FAI incidences. It is bony changes that are present in the acetabulum. This lesion decreases the range of motion of the hip and the extra rim on acetabulum “pinches” on the surrounding joint tissue.

Muscle imbalance or weakness

When there is no other pathologies present, then muscle imbalance is the next possible cause of your lateral hip pain. Your hip joint physio will need to assess your hip muscle strength and coordination to deduce what your priorities for rehab are. Muscles are the active supporters of the joint, in supporting the weight of the upper body and keeping our legs going.

Hip physiotherapy is often recommended for effective pain relief and reducing injury recurrence.

For your hip physio in Melbourne, choose Livewell Health clinicians - we are dedicated in helping your body recover in its best way possible. Your exercise program will be evidence-based and tailored according to your priorities of rehab as well as your goals. This is to ensure that your physio for hip pain program is relevant and effective for your body.

Knee pain and physiotherapy Melbourne

Knee injuries are widely common and there are many reasons as to why you are suffering from knee pain. With the right guidance from knee physio at Livewell Health, our team is able to diagnose the origins of your knee pain and treat your symptoms effectively.

Livewell Health’s physiotherapists are experienced in assessing and treating knee pain and injuries.

Knee joint is one of the most common areas to get injured. It may be that your knee pain is due to soft tissue or bone injury. Our knee joint physio will perform a thorough assessment of your knee and injury history.

Common knee injuries Livewell Physio treat:

1. Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) / Anterior knee pain / Runner’s knee

2. Patella maltracking

3. Jumper’s knee / Patellar tendinopathy

4. Iliotibial band (ITB) friction syndrome

5. Meniscal injuries and/or tears

6. Ligament injuries - Medial collateral ligament (MCL) sprain, Lateral collateral ligament (LCL) sprain, Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears

7. Baker’s cyst

8. Calf strain

9. Osteoarthritis

10. Osgood Schlatter’s Disease

Knee joint pain expert in Melbourne

It is therefore crucial that you seek an experienced physio for your knee pain. Livewell Health’s difference is that our team combines the most up-to-date knowledge with technology in creating a personalised recovery plan for you. Treatment will involve manual therapy or hands-on technique, joint mobilisation, exercises for knee pain, taping and/or bracing. Our knee physio program goes beyond pain relief - it is to ensure that you can live well with healthy knees.

Knee physiotherapy can help you get to where you want to be.

Livewell Health’s physiotherapy program for knee pain are dedicated in helping your body recover in its best way possible. Your knee physio program will be evidence-based and tailored according to your priorities of rehab as well as your goals. This is to ensure that your physiotherapy program is relevant and effective for your body.