Can Knee Pain Cause Hip Pain?
At San Antonio Orthopaedic Specialists, we often see patients who come in for hip pain and are surprised to learn the real issue may actually be coming from the knee. Because your joints work together as a system, pain in one area can easily affect another, especially in the lower body.
So the short answer: YES! Knee pain can absolutely lead to hip pain, even when the hip joint itself is healthy.
Understanding how knee problems affect the rest of your body is an important step toward getting the right treatment and lasting relief.
How Knee Pain Affects the Way You Move
Your knees play a major role in how you walk, stand, and move throughout the day. When knee pain develops from arthritis, injury, or inflammation, your body naturally tries to protect that joint.
At San Antonio Orthopaedic Specialists, we frequently see patients unconsciously adjust their movement by:
Shifting weight off the painful knee
Shortening their stride
Walking with a limp
Changing how they bend, stand, or climb stairs
Over time, these small adjustments can place added stress on the hips and lower back. What starts as knee pain can slowly turn into hip pain simply because the body is no longer moving the way it was designed to.
Can Knee Pain Cause Hip Pain? Our Specialists See It Every Day
Can knee pain cause hip pain? Orthopedic specialists at San Antonio Orthopaedic Specialists see this all the time. Knee problems such as arthritis, injuries, or inflammation can create a chain reaction that affects your hip, lower back, and even your posture.
When your knee hurts, your body moves differently to avoid pain. This changes the way you walk, stand, and bend. Over time, that extra stress can travel upward and lead to hip pain, even if the hip joint itself is healthy.
Age and activity level also matter. Older patients and very active individuals with advanced knee arthritis may notice hip pain sooner, while younger or less active patients may not feel the impact right away.
This is why our physicians focus on identifying the source of the problem, not just the location of the pain.
Common Knee Conditions We Treat at SAOS
Knee pain is one of the most common reasons patients visit San Antonio Orthopaedic Specialists. Some of the most frequent causes we diagnose include:
Knee arthritis and cartilage wear
Meniscus tears or ligament injuries
Overuse from work, sports, or daily activity
Previous knee injuries or surgery
Inflammation and joint swelling
When knee pain is left untreated, it can continue to alter movement patterns and increase stress on the hips. Our knee pain specialists focus on restoring proper mechanics to help protect surrounding joints.
How Knee Pain Can Lead to Hip Pain
Hip pain caused by knee issues often develops gradually. Patients commonly describe:
Aching or sharp pain on the side of the hip or in the groin
Pain that worsens with walking or standing
Stiffness or reduced mobility
Discomfort that increases over time
At San Antonio Orthopaedic Specialists, we look beyond the hip itself. A thorough evaluation allows our team to determine whether knee dysfunction is contributing to hip pain, helping us create a more effective and lasting treatment plan.
Treating the Root Cause, Not Just the Symptoms
One of the core principles at San Antonio Orthopaedic Specialists is treating the root cause of pain, not just the symptoms and the X-ray. Addressing hip pain without evaluating the knee may lead to temporary relief but long-term frustration.
Depending on your diagnosis, treatment options may include:
Personalized non-surgical care plans
Activity modification and targeted therapy
Image-guided injections for knee or hip pain
Surgical solutions when conservative care is no longer effective
For patients with advanced joint damage, knee replacement or hip replacement may be recommended to restore mobility, reduce pain, and improve quality of life.
Real Patient Outcomes at San Antonio Orthopaedic Specialists
Our physicians focus on identifying the true source of joint pain and treating the body as a connected system. When knee or hip pain is addressed correctly, patients often experience improvements beyond a single joint.
Hip Pain Care Focused on Lifestyle and Recovery
One active patient came to San Antonio Orthopaedic Specialists after hip pain began affecting walking, work, and daily life. Through a patient-led approach and tissue-sparing hip replacement, the patient was able to return to an active lifestyle with improved mobility and confidence.
Knee Pain Treatment That Improved Daily Movement
Another patient sought care for chronic knee pain that made walking, working, and staying active difficult. After a thorough evaluation, a personalized treatment plan helped relieve pain, restore function, and support a return to activities the patient enjoyed.
Read the full knee treatment patient story.
When to Schedule an Evaluation
If you are experiencing hip pain and also have knee pain, stiffness, or arthritis, it may be time to consult with an orthopedic specialist. A complete evaluation can determine whether your knee is contributing to your hip symptoms and help guide the most appropriate treatment.
At San Antonio Orthopaedic Specialists, our goal is to help you move better, feel stronger, and return to the activities you enjoy with confidence.