Fall 2025 5 Is your hip or knee hurting? Many things could be the cause, from injury to excessive use. One common culprit: osteoarthritis, the breakdown of the cushioning cartilage in a joint. “Think of the joints as a door hinge,” says Maliah Kelley, MSN, RN, Orthopedic and Spine Service Line Manager. “Our cartilage helps the hinge move smoothly and easily. When you have arthritis, the cartilage becomes thinner and rougher, bones can start to rub together, and the hinge can’t move as effortlessly as before. This can lead to symptoms like stiffness, decreased mobility, pain and swelling.” Some consistent lifestyle choices may help lower your risk of osteoarthritis, which becomes increasingly common with age. Among them: ● Maintain a healthy weight. ● If you smoke, quit. ● Exercise regularly. ● Practice good posture and proper lifting. Be good to your joints and bones Take proactive steps Find out what raises your risk for knee and hip pain. Get started at TexasHealthHuguley.org/Orthopedics. If you do wind up with arthritis aches, using warm compresses or ice packs may help. Over-thecounter pain relievers may help, too, if they’re safe for you to use. Gentle, low-impact exercise can help keep your joints flexible and mobile. But it’s time to see a doctor if your pain interferes with daily activities or your health goals or if your symptoms include swelling, popping, instability of the joint, or pain that lasts longer than a few weeks, Maliah says. Joint pain expertise Treating hip or knee pain usually starts with nonsurgical approaches, such as physical therapy, joint injections and medications. If your hip or knee is severely damaged, joint replacement surgery may be the most effective way to improve your pain and get you moving again. “Texas Health Huguley offers advanced Mako robotic technology and highly specialized orthopedic surgeons, allowing for a precise and individualized fit for your new joint,” Maliah says. What’s more, a total-joint coordinator is here to assist you at every step! Physical therapy enhances recovery Physical therapy is often essential after joint surgery. As Lisa Tatum, PT, DPT, CKTP, Outpatient Therapy Manager, points out, physical therapy rehabilitation can help maximize mobility and stability and strengthen core muscles—the body’s “natural back brace.” Cornerstone treatments include therapeutic exercises and manual therapies, but also may include dry needling, aquatic therapy or other approaches as needed. “Our physical therapy treatments are highly specific and targeted to each person’s needs and goals,” Lisa says.
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