Hip and Knee Arthritis: What Joint Pain Means and How It Can Be Treated

Living with joint pain does not have to mean giving up the activities that matter most.

Even a short walk can start to feel difficult. Climbing stairs may seem harder, sleep can be disrupted by aching joints, and pastimes that once brought enjoyment may begin to feel like obligations.

As an orthopaedic surgeon who focuses on hip and knee arthritis and joint replacement, I often see how joint pain can affect independence and overall quality of life. Many people think discomfort is simply part of getting older, but ongoing pain and stiffness should be evaluated. Learning what is causing the problem is the first step toward relief.

More Than Simple Wear and Tear

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis in the hips and knees. It develops when the cartilage that cushions the ends of bones gradually breaks down, which leads to pain, stiffness and less mobility.

Age and family history can contribute, and earlier injuries or joint deformities may speed up the process. Still, not every painful hip or knee is caused by arthritis. Ligament injuries, cartilage tears and tendon problems can create similar symptoms, and hip pain may sometimes come from the lower back. Finding the true source is important for choosing the right treatment.

How to Recognize the Warning Signs

Arthritis symptoms often appear gradually. A person may notice worsening pain, stiffness, swelling, grinding sensations or trouble walking. Over time, routine tasks can become more difficult, exercise may feel less appealing, and pain can disrupt sleep.

These changes are worth bringing to an orthopaedic specialist, especially when pain begins limiting daily activities or independence.

Treatment Options That Can Help

Although osteoarthritis cannot be cured, several treatments can ease symptoms and help preserve mobility.

Non-surgical options include physical therapy, maintaining a healthy weight, choosing low-impact exercise such as swimming or biking, and using a cane or brace when appropriate. Medications and injections may also help certain patients manage pain.

My goal is to help patients remain active and comfortable for as long as possible. When those measures no longer provide enough relief, joint replacement may be considered.

Ongoing pain that interferes with daily life, walking, exercise or sleep can be a sign that it is time to discuss surgery. Depending on how much damage is present, treatment may involve a partial knee replacement or a total knee or hip replacement.

Modern Surgery and Recovery

Advances in joint replacement continue to broaden the available options. Better implant materials, muscle-sparing surgical techniques, robotics and computer navigation are among the tools helping surgeons plan and carry out procedures. For carefully selected patients, anterior hip replacement and same-day joint replacement may also be possible.

Recovery still takes time, but many patients return home on the day of surgery or the next day. Physical therapy and a gradual return to activity help restore movement, strength and confidence.

During the first several weeks, patients focus on easing stiffness and improving mobility, often moving from a walker to a cane as they are able. Day-to-day tasks usually become easier over the following weeks and months, while strength and endurance may keep improving for a year or more.

Joint pain does not have to mean stepping away from the activities that make life rewarding. If hip or knee pain is keeping you from doing what you enjoy, you do not have to wait to explore your options. With timely orthopaedic care, you can take the first step toward moving more comfortably and returning to the activities you love. FBN

By Devin Olsen, DO

Dr. Devin Olsen is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon with Flagstaff Bone & Joint who specializes in hip and knee arthritis, primary and complex revision joint replacement, and minimally invasive anterior hip replacement. He is the newest physician at Flagstaff Bone & Joint and sees patients in Flagstaff, Cottonwood and Show Low. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Olsen, call 928-773-2280, text 928-628-6391, or visit flagstaffboneandjoint.com.