Excellent Choice: Hip, Knee and Leg Pain

Excellent Choice: Hip, Knee and Leg Pain

WE T R E AT YO U L I K E FAM I LY .

H E A L T H & F I T N E S S N E W S L E T T E R 2 0 2 1

Overcome Hip, Knee & Leg Pain

A L S O I N S I D E

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS

LEAF RAKING SEASON

SPOOKY RECIPE

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WE T R E AT YO U L I K E FAM I LY .

LET’ S SOLVE YOUR HIP, KNEE & LEG PAIN

C OM E B A C K TO P H Y S I C A L T H E R A P Y ! E X C E L L E N T C H O I C E P T . COM

Your hips, knees, and lower legs are tough—but injuries happen. Your hips and knees are your largest joints, supporting your body’s weight. They work in close coordination, giving us the mobility we need. Between arthritis, injuries and age, however, pain can flare up. If you’re experiencing hip, knee or leg pain, call us to schedule a closer look. Before you do, however, let’s examine the pain itself.

Mayo Clinic has pinpointed several leading causes of hip, knee and leg pain. While many causes exist, the most likely are:

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Arthritis

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Tendonitis

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Dislocation

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Pinched nerves

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Hip fracture

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Osteoporosis

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Sprains and strains

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Cancer

While some causes are more severe than others, a physician can identify each. As the body ages, joints become inflamed. Cartilage may wear down, reducing the “buffer” between bones. In some cases, limited blood flow may cause bone tissue death, or necrosis. If you’re experiencing redness, inflammation and immobilized joints, the condition may be severe.

WHAT CAUSES HIP, KNEE AND LEG PAIN?

Hip, knee and leg pain are surprisingly common. Thus, their source can come from a variety of things. If you’re experiencing pain in any part of your leg, pinpointing the exact spot can help you determine the cause.

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WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

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While leg pain is noticeable by a slew of symptoms, several stick out. Aching or stiffness around the hip, groin, back or thigh may be a sign of deeper problems. A decreased range of motion can also be a sign of deeper problems which may later result in hip, knee or leg pain. Sometimes, inactivity can contribute to immobility—and later pain. If you’re limping, lurching or are experiencing bad balance, contact a physician. While some hip, knee and leg pains go away, those lasting longer than several months may be hinting at a deeper issue.

help you reclaim full mobility—and a healthy lifestyle. From start to finish, we’re dedicated to your ongoing wellness. On every level, physical therapy serves to enhance the patient’s quality of life. We’re here to help, and we have years of experience backing every therapy option. Contact one of our providers today, and tell us about your symptoms. Sources: https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/hip-pain/basics/when-to-see- doctor/sym-20050684 • https://www.everydayhealth.com/hip-pain/hip-pain- and-your-body.aspx • https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/knees-and-hips-a- troubleshooting-guide-to-knee-and-hip-pain

HOW PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP

In many cases, physical therapy can help patients increase legmobility. In doing so, they can stretch,flex and strengthen the muscles responsible for support. If a joint appears deformed, or if sudden swelling occurs, contact a physician immediately. A good physical therapy program can assist with post- operation treatment, too. If you’ve undergone treatment for osteoporosis, dislocation or a fracture, your therapist can

Try This Spooky Recipe: SPIDER DEVIL EGGS INGREDIENTS: • 12 large eggs • 2 tbsp diced pimientos

• 1/4 tsp black pepper • Dash of hot sauce • 4 oz sharp cheddar cheese • 3 large pimiento-stuffed olives, each cut crosswise into 4 thin slices

• 2 tbsp canola mayonnaise • 2 tsp grainy Dijon mustard • 2 tsp apple cider vinegar

DIRECTIONS: Fill a large saucepan with water to a depth of 1 inch; bring to a boil. Place steamer basket in pan; place eggs in basket. Cover and steam 15 minutes. Plunge eggs into a bowl filled with ice water. Let stand 5 minutes. Peel eggs. Remove top 1/3 of hard-cooked egg white from each egg (reserve caps). Use a teaspoon to remove yolks while keeping whites intact. Place yolks in a medium bowl. Add pimientos and next 6 ingredients (through cheese), stirring until well combined. Place yolk mixture in a large Ziploc bag; snip one corner from bottom of bag to create a hole. Pipe yolk mixture into egg white cups, filling to just above the rim of each cup. Place one olive slice on exposed yolk mixture of each egg to create the body of the spider topping. Chop slices of olives to create the legs. Add pimiento pieces to either side of the body for horns, if desired.

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PATIENT SUCCESS

LEAF RAKING SEASON! It’s that time of year and all your fellow leaf rakers are out in full force cleaning up their yards and getting ready for….uggh winter. We put our heads together and came up with the Top 6 Things you should think of as you tackle that yard full of leaves this fall. 1. Warm up — Get your body moving with a brisk walk or some trunk rotations before you start raking 2. Avoid twisting — Move your feet and use your legs to shift your weight back and forth rather than twisting through your back. Keep your shoulders and your hips facing the same direction, bend at the hips and not your back, and you can’t go wrong! 3. Get the right rake — Use a rake that is a good length for you. A rake too long or too short will make you put more stress on your back. 4.Switch it up — Don’t always rake from the same side. Changing your arm and leg position will help decrease the repeated stress on your joints. 5. Use your legs — Bend at the knees when picking up piles of leaves and yard bags (that aren’t too full!) to decrease the load on your low back 6. Finish up— It’s always a good idea to finishwith some stretching, or even ice areas that you know tend to get sore, after a workout. Then go and enjoy a cold (or warm!) beverage of your choice after a job well done! Remember, if you are extremely sore after an activity or minor aches in pains aren’t settling after a few days, don’t wait! Call us and we will help you get back to pain-free living. That’s how it should be. What a re—leaf!

“I have been to Excellent Choice Physical Therapy for two separate problems (one for the neck and the other for my knee) and I would recommend to my friends who need a physical therapist to go to Excellent Choice. Both times that I have been there, my problems have been taken care of and I am now able to do the things that I was having a hard time doing before therapy. The staff is very friendly and helpful.” “The staff is very friendly and helpful.”

— Kathleen D.

WE T R E AT YO U L I K E FAM I LY .

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