Hip & Knee Pain Treatment

A sharp pain in your hip that makes walking feel like a chore. A knee so unstable you brace yourself with every step. When your hips and knees aren’t working the way they should, even the most basic daily activities become a challenge — and the problem rarely gets better on its own. At Fultz Physical Therapy & Joint Rehab, our physical therapists at our South Shreveport, North Shreveport, and South Bossier clinics deliver targeted, hands-on. care to get you moving freely and confidently again — without drugs or surgery.

Understanding Hip & Knee Pain

The hip and knee are the two largest weight-bearing joints in the body, and they work together as part of your kinetic chain — the interconnected system of joints responsible for posture, balance, and movement. When one joint is compromised, the other often pays the price.

The hip is a ball-and-socket joint designed for both mobility and stability, supporting the full weight of your upper body with every step. The knee is a hinge joint that must withstand even greater forces while enabling the full range of motion required for walking, running, climbing stairs, and standing for extended periods.

Pain in either joint can originate locally or be referred from elsewhere in the body. A hip problem can transmit pain signals to the knee, and vice versa. An imbalance anywhere along the kinetic chain creates undue stress and accelerated wear — which is why a thorough evaluation of both joints is always part of our assessment process.

Common Causes of Hip & Knee Pain

Because they share similar structures and are subject to similar demands, the hips and knees are prone to many of the same conditions:

• Arthritis – Cartilage breakdown in the hip or knee causes bone-on-bone friction, stiffness, and chronic pain that worsens with activity
• Tendinitis – Repetitive motion and overuse lead to tendon inflammation in and around both joints
• Strains and Sprains – Acute injuries to the muscles, ligaments, or tendons surrounding the hip or knee
• Bursitis – Inflammation of the bursa sacs in the knee causes localized pain and swelling, particularly with kneeling or prolonged activity
• Labral Tears – Cartilage injuries specific to the hip joint that cause deep, aching pain and reduced range of motion
• Sciatica – A pinched sciatic nerve can refer pain from the lower back through the hip and down into the knee
• Patellofemoral Stress Syndrome – Abnormal kneecap tracking, often caused by weak gluteal muscles or tight hip flexors, creates pain at the front of the knee
• Iliotibial Band Friction Syndrome – A common overuse injury in runners and cyclists that causes pain along the outer knee and hip
• Gait and Postural Imbalances – An uneven stance or altered walking pattern places asymmetrical stress on the hips and knees, accelerating joint deterioration over time

How Physical Therapy Treats Hip & Knee Pain

At Fultz Physical Therapy & Joint Rehab, we don’t just treat the joint that hurts — we evaluate the entire kinetic chain to identify the root cause of your pain. Your physical therapist will assess your posture, gait, range of motion, and joint stability before designing a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your specific condition and goals.

Your treatment plan may include:

• Manual Therapy – Hands-on joint mobilization and soft tissue techniques to reduce pain, restore alignment, and improve joint mechanics
• Therapeutic Exercise – Targeted strengthening of the hip, knee, glute, and core musculature to stabilize joints and correct the imbalances driving your pain. Research has shown that kneecap pain responds better to combined hip and knee strengthening than knee-focused exercise alone
• Functional Dry Needling – Releases trigger points in the muscles contributing to hip and knee dysfunction, reducing pain and improving mobility
• Corrective Exercise – Movement retraining to address faulty mechanics, postural imbalances, and compensatory patterns that place excessive stress on the joints
• Gait and Postural Analysis – Identifying and correcting the way you stand, walk, and move to normalize load distribution across the kinetic chain
• Thermal and Modality Treatments – Heat, ice, and ultrasound therapy to reduce inflammation, promote tissue healing, and manage pain

Get Back to Moving Without Pain

Hip and knee pain is common — but it isn’t something you have to accept as permanent. The physical therapists at Fultz Physical Therapy & Joint Rehab are ready to help you move better and live fully, with convenient locations in South Shreveport, North Shreveport, and South Bossier, LA serving patients throughout the Shreveport-Bossier area.

Contact us today to request your appointment and start your path to pain-free movement.