Hip & Knee

The Best Knee & Hip Surgeons in Wichita

The knee and hip are two of the largest and most important joints in the human body. They are instrumental in helping us walk, run, play sports, and complete everyday tasks. Our hips and knees are key cogs in mobility, so it’s not surprising they are strong and resilient as they help carry and move our bodies and endure a lot of daily stress. Without these joints, our mobility would be greatly compromised.

The hip is a deep-seated, ball and socket synovial joint. This means that the joint is surrounded by a membrane and lubricating fluid which is critical for movement. The femoral head (part of the thigh bone) and the acetabulum (part of the pelvis) make up the joint. The hip provides weight-bearing stability along with mobility. Many muscles, ligaments, and tendons help provide additional stability and give the hip the power it needs to function properly.

Comparatively, the knee is a complex hinge joint which is formed of three main bones. They include the femur (the thigh bone), the tibia (shin bone), and the fibula (runs parallel to the tibia). The patella (the kneecap) is the triangular-shaped bone which protects the knee joint. Like the hip, several muscles, ligaments, and tendons work together to provide range of motions, strength, and stability to the knee joints.

When there is a breakdown in the complex link between the joints, hip and/or knee pain or discomfort may occur. Common causes of knee and/or hip pain include arthritis, instability, ligament injury, tendon injury, tendonitis, inflammation, muscular imbalance, and overuse, which is common with exercise.

If you’re experiencing symptoms such as pain, discomfort, stiffness, or sensations of instability related to your knees or hips, you should schedule an appointment with an orthopedic doctor or physician, like one at Mid-America Orthopedics. Many initial appointments for knee or hip knee include the orthopedic surgeon or physician learning about your symptoms and medical history, accompanied by a physical exam of your hip or knee. In some cases, X-rays or an MRI might need to be taken. At the end of your initial visit, your orthopedic physician or doctor should have feedback on what is causing your knee pain and/or hip pain and will talk to you about treatment options and next steps.

In some cases, hip or knee pain or injuries can be treated with rest and/or activity modification. Other times, your knee or hip pain might require treatments such as medication, physical therapy, or injections. Some knee injuries and hip pain require surgery to relieve pain and improve mobility. The most common type of knee and hip surgeries are arthroscopic surgery and joint replacement surgery. If your hip pain or knee pain requires surgery, it’s important to find the best orthopedic surgeon near you and one that you’re comfortable with.