Hip & Knee

Hip and knee conditions are some of the most common musculoskeletal conditions requiring treatment. Injuries or degeneration to the hip or knee can greatly impact movement and interfere with normal functioning and quality of life.

Conditions affecting these areas have different causes, including an acute injury (e.g. a fall or sporting injury), strenuous activity, overuse, trauma and muscle tension or spasm.

Conditions commonly treat related to pain in these areas are:

  • Hip pain
  • Labral tears
  • Arthritis of the hip or knee
  • Recovery following total hip or knee replacement surgery
  • Knee pain, including patella-femoral syndrome
  • Tendinitis
  • Ligament tears (ACL, MCL etc.)
  • Sport injuries

Treatment is based on the stage of the presenting condition. It may involve treating an acute injury such as a sprain, performing pre-operative strength exercises to maximise recovery following surgery, or working through a rehabilitation program following surgery.

Our clinicians follow the latest evidence-based practice, working closely with referring surgeons and specialists to ensure you maximise your recovery potential.

Frequently Asked Questions

According to Arthritis Australia, regular exercise is one of the most important treatments for arthritis of the hip as it can help to reduce pain and maintain your general health. Low-impact activities are often best, including walking, swimming or cycling. There is also evidence for water exercise (called aquatic therapy or hydrotherapy) as the buoyancy of the water takes pressure off the joints. Strengthening exercises for the muscles around the hip can also help to reduce pain, and some studies have shown that other forms of low-impact exercise such as Tai Chi can reduce pain and stiffness for people with arthritis.
Most knee pain will benefit from low-impact exercise such as walking, as the movement helps to maintain the health and flexibility of the knee joint. If walking makes your knee pain worse, it is worth seeking the advice of a health professional to get a full assessment and to obtain advice on alternatives such as water-based or other forms of exercise.
The most common type of arthritis in the hip is osteoarthritis (OA). Symptoms commonly include sharp pain or an ache in the hip, groin, buttock and/or thigh. It is often aggravated by walking, climbing stairs, standing up from a seated position, squatting and first thing in the morning.
Common symptoms of knee arthritis include pain and stiffness in the knee joint. Often the pain is particularly noticeable first thing in the morning, after sitting for a long period, climbing stairs, walking, kneeling or after prolonged sitting. Other symptoms may include swelling around the knee or a feeling of weakness (as though the knee may give way).

In Australia, a referral is not required to be able to see an allied health professional such as a physiotherapist, although it is often helpful for you to bring as much information about your health history as well as any specific medical or surgical details that relate to your reason for seeing a physiotherapist. There are a few exceptions to this, where you will need to obtain a referral from your GP prior to attending our clinic. This includes:

  • Workers Compensation Claims
  • CTP (Third Party) Road Accident Claims
  • Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) Claims
  • Medicare Claims (e.g. Chronic Disease Management referral)

Services used in this treatment plan include

Arthritis

Other Services

Physiotherapy

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Occupational Therapy

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Hydrotherapy

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Exercise Physiology

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Dietetics

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Speech Pathology

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Diabetes Education

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Osteopathy

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If you are suffering through hip and knee pain, see us about alleviating your symptoms, and start working on a personalised treatment plan to cure or manage or pain as a short- and long-term solution.

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