The chain runs from your foot to your spine.
Knee and hip pain are the most common lower extremity complaints in physical therapy, and the most commonly mistreated. Addressing only the painful joint without examining what drives it from the foot below and the lumbar spine above misses the most important part of the picture.
Weak hip abductors load the IT band. Stiff ankles force the knee inward. Tight hip flexors change the position of the pelvis and stress the lumbar disc. We assess the system, not just the symptom.
Where your pain occurs tells us what is involved.
Knee and hip pain have characteristic patterns that point to specific structures, each with its own treatment strategy.
Knee Pain with Running
Pain at the front of the knee during or after runs, especially on downhills, classic for patellofemoral syndrome.
Lateral Knee Pain
Pain on the outside of the knee that shows up at the same point in every run or on long hikes, typically IT band syndrome or lateral compartment issues.
Hip Stiffness That Limits Training
Tight, restricted hips that keep you from hitting depth in a squat, opening up your stride, or rotating through your golf swing.
Groin Ache
Deep aching in the groin with cutting, deep squats, or hip rotation in your swing, often labral or arthritic in nature.
Giving Way
A sensation of the knee giving way when you land, cut, or change direction, associated with ligament laxity, meniscal involvement, or quad inhibition.
Pain with Squatting
Pain at the bottom of a squat, during lunges, or landing from a jump, often a sign the knee is taking load the hips should share.
We evaluate the whole body.
Lower extremity rehabilitation at Path to Movement includes a gait and movement analysis to identify where the kinetic chain is breaking down. We identify the contributing impairments: hip weakness, ankle stiffness, altered mechanics, and address them systematically.
Manual therapy restores joint mobility in the hip, knee, or ankle as needed. Progressive loading builds the strength and control required for the demands of your running, lifting, and sport.
What our patients say.
“I started to see result early in the process and that was very encouraging. I did have other things come up (back pain from over-working it) and Dr. Ryan adjusted, addressed that effectively, and then we got back to fixing my knee. The experiences I had with Dr. Ryan showed me he has a lot of tools to bring to the table to address a wide array of problems. I would recommend him enthusiastically and without reservation. You'll be glad you went.”Kendrick · Delaware County
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