Two Small Hip Muscles That Causes Knee And Ankle Pain
Its true, you can feel pain all the way down to your ankle because two muscles in your hip are tight. Your tensor fascia lata , which is on the outside of your hip, and the gluteus minimus which is directly underneath the TFL are the source of this pain, and they are both normally ignored when a person is trying to find the answer to hip/knee/ankle pain.
Your gluteus minimus originates on your pelvis and inserts into the top of your thigh bone, and your TFL merges into your iliotibial band . Your ITB then inserts into just below the outside of your knee joint. When your gluteus minimus muscle is tight it is pulling your thigh bone and pelvis toward each other, causing hip pain. When the TFL muscle is in spasm it is pulling hard on your ITB and you feel pain at the insertion point on the outside of your knee.
The analogy I always use to demonstrate this situation is, pull your hair at the end and you will feel the pain at your scalp, plus if you run your fingers along your hair, it will be taut. It is the same with the muscle-tendon-bone. As the muscle is tightening it causes the tendon to tighten, and you feel it at the insertion point which is usually at a joint.
It gets a bit complicated, especially if you havent done an internet search to take a look at the muscles, but suffice to say, these two muscles are causing all of the problems and they are very easy to treat.
Pain That Originates From The Side Of The Hip
Certain conditions may cause hip pain to originate from the side of the hip and travel down to the thigh. A few examples are discussed below.
External snapping hip
When a muscle or tendon slides over the bony protrusion at the top of the thigh bone , it creates a snap, pop, or clicking sound. This condition causes pain that increases with direct pressure over the side of the hip. The pain may also travel down the side of the thigh.1
Read more about 3 Types of Snapping Hip Syndrome on Sports-health.com
Hip bursitis
Inflammation of the large trochanteric bursa located on the side of the hip joint may cause hip pain. The pain typically increases upon direct pressure on the side of the hip and may travel down the side of the thigh.1,7
See Hip Bursitis
Both these conditions belong to a spectrum of hip disorders called the greater trochanteric pain syndrome. This syndrome also includes tears of the gluteus minimus and/or medius muscles located on the side and back of the hip that may cause pain in these areas.1
Causes Of Foot Pain And Numbness
Certain conditions may cause pain and/or numbness in the foot with or without leg pain. Foot pain commonly occurs in:
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome: Compression of the tibial nerve due to trauma, swelling, poorly fitting shoes, tendon problems, or enlarged arteries or veins.8
- Peroneal neuropathy: Compression of the peroneal nerve due to trauma, tumors, or other systemic conditions.9
Severe foot weakness can cause foot drop .
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Right Leg Pain From Hip To Ankle
Leg pain from hip to ankle can be caused by many different conditions. It may be as simple as sitting for long periods of time, injury, or a chronic condition. The right leg, hip, and ankle are all connected by a network of joints, bones, tendons, and muscles that are all prone to stress and injury.
You have nerves that are in control of the joints and muscles starting in the spine that run all the way down to your ankle. Any injuries or conditions in these areas can irritate these nerves and cause something called “referred pain” meaning you could have a lower back injury that sends a line of pain all the way down your leg.
The Top 3 Reasons Youre Feeling Knee And Ankle Pain In The Same Leg
Physical therapists have an extensive knowledge of knee and ankle issues that can trigger pain. The fact that youre feeling knee pain and ankle pain in the same leg can help them narrow down that list. A few of the issues that more commonly cause this combo of pain are:
Lets say you sprained your ankle. Its possible that the pain of that injury could radiate into your calf and reach your knee. Such an injury could also lead to movement changes and other issues that could also trigger knee pain.
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How Is Iliotibial Band Syndrome Treated
There are some treatments for iliotibial band syndrome that you can do at home, while others require a healthcare provider. Common treatments include:
- Rest: Some experts recommend that you not exercise your hurt leg until your pain is gone and your iliotibial band syndrome has healed. Talk to your healthcare provider about how much rest and activity you should get.
- Pain medications: Examples of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs include Ibuprofen and Naproxen . Talk with your healthcare provider about correct dosages.
- Manual therapy: A physical therapist might teach you to use a foam roller to massage your body.
- Physical therapy: A physical therapist can teach you stretches, strengthening exercises and other treatments to help relieve your hip and knee pain. These treatments might help you lengthen your iliotibial band, decreasing the tension. A physical therapist can also show you how to best warm up before exercise and cool down afterward.
- Posture training: The way you hold your body when you go about your daily activities, playing sports or otherwise, might influence your iliotibial band syndrome.
- Steroid injections: Corticosteroids might reduce the inflammation in your iliotibial band.
- Surgery: Surgery for iliotibial band syndrome is rare. Your healthcare provider might recommend it if medications and physical therapy dont work.
How Can Hip Pain Be Diagnosed
- For diagnosing the hip pain and the reason behind it, the doctor may first ask you to walk around.
- The doctor will then compare the motion of the normal and abnormal hips. To diagnose hip pain better, the doctor may order some tests like an X-ray, CT Scan, Ultrasound, and MRI Scan. These imaging tests will provide a clear image of the body part and help the doctor in recognizing the reason behind the pain in the hip.
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Pain In Front Of Leg Below Knee
The most common cause of pain in the front of the leg below the knee is due to a condition called patellofemoral pain syndrome . This condition is also sometimes referred to as runners knee. PFPS is a condition that results from the overuse of the knee joint. It is seen most often in people who participate in activities that involve a lot of running or jumping. The pain is usually a result of the inflammation of the patellar tendon, which runs from the kneecap to the shinbone . Treatment for PFPS typically includes rest, ice, and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications. In more severe cases, physical therapy or surgery may be necessary.
At some point in life, approximately 25% of people will suffer from pain in the front of their knees. The type of anterior knee pain you experience may depend on your age, level of activity, and sports participation. It is common for pain to be caused by imbalances, movement patterns, and complex issues that take a long time to resolve. Athletes of all ages, particularly those who run, have an increased risk of anterior knee pain. A burning pain around your kneecap can be agonizing for some people, while a sharp stab pain under your kneecap can be agonizing for others. As a result of inflammation of the tissues in the knee, it is more common for the knee to grind. There is no reason to believe that anything discovered on an MRI scan is the source of kneecap pain or runners knee pain.
C Criteria For Diagnosing Each Diagnosis In The Method Above
Hip and pelvic pain:
The thigh:
Diagnostic Testing: If fracture or tumor is suspected, begin with plain XR and may get MRI if there is high suspicion. If local source of pain is not discovered, consider imaging of the lumbar spine.
The knee joint:
Diagnostic Testing: X-ray a painful knee in the setting of trauma , but an X-ray will be low yield in the setting of pain without trauma, even in the presence of a mild to moderate effusion. In the presence of a moderate to large effusion, consider arthrocentesis and send cell count and gram stains. To look for crystals, fluid should be examined in the first 1-3 hours. MRI is the best test for new meniscal or ligamentous injuries, but is rarely necessary in hospitalized patients.
The lower leg:
Diagnostic Testing: Compartment syndrome is a surgical emergency, and should prompt an immediate consultation with orthopedics. Suspected fractures may be worked up with radiographs. Suspected DVT should prompt ultrasound or CT workup.
The ankle:
Diagnostic Testing: Following trauma, the Ottowa ankle rules have 100% sensitivity for malleolar fracture, with radiographs needed only when positive. Suspected osteoarthritis may be supported by weight-bearing ankle films, although these are not necessary for the diagnosis.
The foot:
Diagnostic Testing: Radiographs for fracture of 5th metatarsal, but if radiographs are negative and suspicion is high, consider MRI. MRI is also the study of choice for Mortons neuroma.
Read Also: Lower Right Hip And Back Pain
B Describe A Diagnostic Approach/method To The Patient With This Problem
Hip and pelvic pain:
The thigh:
Differential Diagnosis: Commonly trochanteric bursitis, sciatic nerve pain or exacerbations of lumbar spinal stenosis uncommonly bone or muscle tumors, femur fracture, meralgia paresthetica.
The knee joint:
Differential Diagnosis: Osteoarthritis, chronic meniscal injuries , pes anserine bursitis, bakers cysts uncommonly gout, septic arthritis, flares of rheumatoid arthritis, tibial plateau fracture .
The lower leg:
Differential Diagnosis: Commonly pes anserine bursitis , medial tibial stress syndrome , uncommonly stress fracture, tibial or fibular fracture, deep vein thrombosis , compartment syndrome.
The ankle:
Differential Diagnosis: Commonly ankle sprains , osteoarthritis uncommonly gout , septic arthritis .
The foot:
Differential Diagnosis: Commonly osteoarthritis, metatarsalgia , plantar fasciitis, sesamoiditis, diabetic neuropathy uncommonly gout, Mortnons neuroma, fracture , distal infarction, ulceration, osteomyelitis .
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Sciatica Or Other Back Pain
Up to 85% of Americans experience some type of back pain during their lives. But this doesn’t always involve the sciatic nerve. In many cases, back pain is the result of overextending or straining the muscles in the lower back. What most often sets sciatica apart is the way the pain radiates down the leg and into the foot. It may feel like a bad leg cramp that lasts for days.
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What Is The Muscle In Front Of The Leg Below The Knee
The tibialis anterior muscle is a muscle located in the front part of the shin bone in the lower leg. The muscles begin just beneath the knee, progress down the front of your shin, and finally attach to the top of your foot.
How To Treat Tibialis Anterior Pain
It is critical to allow patience and focus on restoring strength to the muscle to treat the tibialis anterior pain. A therapist can help you stretch and improve your range of motion with physical therapy. If the pain is severe, your doctor may recommend anti-inflammatory medications or an injection to reduce inflammation.
Move Of The Month: Seated Pretzel
Stretches the buttocks, hips, and outer thighs.
Reps: 24
Hold: 1030 seconds
Starting position: Sit up straight in a chair and rest your left ankle on your right thigh above your knee. Place your hands on your thighs.
Movement: Keeping your spine neutral, slowly hinge forward from your hips until you feel a stretch in your left hip and buttock. Hold. Slowly return to the starting position. Repeat with your right ankle on your left knee. This is one rep.
Tips and techniques: Keep your spine neutral, not rounded, and your chest lifted as you lean forward. Keep your shoulders down and back, away from your ears, as you stretch. For a deeper stretch, gently press down with the hand on your bent leg.
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When To Worry About Leg Pain
If you experience any pain in your legs, it is important to consult with a doctor to rule out any serious underlying conditions. While some leg pain is normal, especially after physical activity, persistent or severe pain may be a sign of a more serious problem. If you experience any numbness, weakness, or tingling in your legs, this may be a sign of nerve damage and you should seek medical attention immediately. If you have any concerns about your leg pain, it is always best to consult with a medical professional.
Leg cramps are a common annoyance that most people deal with on a regular basis at some point in their lives. It is possible that some of these conditions are caused by a condition known as peripheral arterial disease . When PAD is not treated, it can lead to limb loss, heart attack, or stroke, as well as a lack of oxygen to the downstream organ. For former smokers, the risk of peripheral artery disease is 2.5 times greater than for non-smokers. A smoking cessation program is the most effective way to stop the progression of PAD. If you want to improve your walking distance and live a more active life, consider the Baystate Heart Program. This program is simple to enroll and is as effective as some surgical interventions, but without the risk of side effects. According to Dr. Blackwood, 98% of PAD patients can live without surgery.
What Causes A Misalignment In The Foot
A misalignment of the structure of the foot can be caused by wearing shoes that fit poorly. It can also be caused by an injury that wasnt treated or didnt heal properly.
Degenerative diseases like arthritis can affect the bones. The characteristic inflammation associated with various types of arthritis can force the bones, tendons, and ligaments out of their natural alignment, changing how your foot functions and altering your gait.
Injuries that result in the formation of scar tissue can force certain structures out of their natural alignment. This can cause constant inflammation that can eventually damage the bones and connective tissues, causing them to heal abnormally.
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When Should I See A Doctor
Seek medical attention urgently if you have sore or aching legs and:
- the leg is swollen
- it looks deformed or you canât cannot use it properly
- it is unusually cool or pale
- it is numb and weak
- it is red and warm
- both legs are swollen and you have breathing problems
- the pain is getting worse
See your doctor as soon as possible if you have signs of infection, like a fever, calf pain after going on a long journey, or any serious symptoms that come on with no explanation.
Most Lower Leg Pain Is Caused By Wear And Tear Overuse Or Injuries
Wear and tear, overuse, and injury are the most common causes of lower leg pain. Rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain relievers will usually help if the pain is caused by a problem with the knee or ankle. If the pain is caused by something other than a stroke or a stroke-related infection, it may necessitate treatment. Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome, which is the most common type of lower leg pain, is characterized by pain centered on the inner portion of the tibia in the middle/lower thirds of the lower leg and the surrounding soft tissue. The pain of MTSS is usually reduced or eliminated as soon as the activity causes it.
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What Causes Hip Pain That Radiates Down The Leg
There are several reasons why your hip may be painful. The location and the type of pain at the hip could help determine its possible cause.
- Tendinitis: This results when the tendons that connect your thigh muscles to the hip bone become inflamed because of overuse. Pain is usually felt at the front and side of the hip down to the thigh.
Hip Osteoarthritis
- Osteoarthritis: A condition in which the cartilage at the hip joint, which acts as a shock absorber, becomes damaged causing inflammation. This results in deep, aching pain in the groin area that travels to the front of the thigh and knee.
Hip Bursitis
- Bursitis: Refers to the inflammation of a bursa, a sac filled with fluid that acts as a cushion to decrease the friction between tissues. There are two main types of bursitis:
- Hip bursitis or Trochanteric bursitis: Pain gets worse with pressure and may travel to the side of the thigh.
- Iliopsoas bursitis: Pain is usually felt in the groin area and is accompanied by a snapping or popping sensation when moving from a bent to a straight position such as when you are standing from a chair.
Sciatica