Knee and hip pain affect millions of Canadians and are among the leading causes of reduced mobility and quality of life. Whether you are dealing with osteoarthritis, a sports injury, or a structural problem in the joint, our multidisciplinary team at Woodbridge Rehabilitation Centre provides comprehensive, non-surgical care.
What is Knee & Hip Pain?
The knee and hip joints are the largest weight-bearing joints in the body. They are subject to enormous repetitive stress over a lifetime, making them vulnerable to both acute injury and gradual degeneration. Osteoarthritis — the wearing down of cartilage — is the most common cause of knee and hip pain in adults over 50, but younger patients frequently experience pain from patellofemoral syndrome, bursitis, IT band syndrome, and hip impingement.
Common Symptoms
- Dull, aching pain in the knee or hip, particularly during or after activity
- Stiffness, especially in the morning or after sitting for long periods
- Swelling, warmth, or tenderness around the joint
- Clicking, grinding, or popping sensations in the joint
- Reduced range of motion or difficulty walking, climbing stairs, or rising from a chair
- Pain that radiates from the hip into the groin, thigh, or buttock
- Knee pain that worsens going downstairs or after prolonged kneeling
Common Causes
- Osteoarthritis — age-related cartilage breakdown
- Patellofemoral syndrome — pain under or around the kneecap
- IT (iliotibial) band syndrome — common in runners
- Hip impingement (femoroacetabular impingement / FAI)
- Trochanteric or pes anserine bursitis
- Meniscal tears or ligament sprains
- Biomechanical imbalances and poor foot mechanics
- Excess body weight increasing joint load
Treatments at Woodbridge Rehabilitation Centre
Our multidisciplinary team creates a personalized treatment plan based on your specific presentation, health history, and goals. The following therapies may be recommended individually or in combination.
Physiotherapy
Manual joint mobilization, soft tissue therapy, and targeted strengthening of the quadriceps, glutes, and hip stabilizers reduce joint load, improve mechanics, and rebuild function.
Chiropractic Care
Joint mobilization, manipulation and soft tissue therapy of the hip, knee, pelvis and lower back may be used alongside exercise to reduce pain and improve movement.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture may offer modest, short-term pain relief for some people with knee osteoarthritis as a complement to exercise. Side effects are uncommon and usually minor, such as bruising or soreness at needle sites.
Custom Orthotics
Our chiropodists assess your gait and foot mechanics, then prescribe and dispense custom-fitted orthotics where foot mechanics may be contributing to knee or hip symptoms.
Softwave Therapy
Softwave may be considered as an adjunct for pain related to knee osteoarthritis and for tendon conditions around the hip, such as greater trochanteric pain. Some clinical trials report short-term improvements in pain and function. Claims that shockwave therapy rebuilds cartilage or activates stem cells come from laboratory and animal research and have not been established in patients.
Selected References
- Bannuru RR, et al. OARSI guidelines for the non-surgical management of knee, hip, and polyarticular osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2019;27(11):1578–1589.
- Fransen M, et al. Exercise for osteoarthritis of the knee. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;(1):CD004376.
Last updated: September 2026. This page provides general information and is not a substitute for an individual assessment by a qualified healthcare provider.
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