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Pain Management for Joints

Don’t let knee or hip pain derail your active lifestyle. Learn how you can prevent and treat these common ailments.

Woman running knee joint emphasis

Featured Articles

Close up of woman wrapping knee

Sorting Out Knee Pain

When do you need help for your sudden or ongoing knee pain? Our expert sorts through the possible scenarios.

White woman having hip adjusted

Help for Hip Pain

Pain in the hip is all too common. Learn about some common causes and how to prevent or treat it.

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Simple Ways to Build Strong Bones

Osteoporosis can mean fractures and disability. Three steps you can take right now to strengthen your bones.

View All Pain Management Articles

Ask an Expert

C. Scott Walthour

C. Scott Walthour, M.D.

Memorial Medical Center Modesto

My knee popped out of place two weeks ago. I popped it right back, and the swelling and pain have gone away. Is this normal, or does it indicate a problem?

A cracking noise heard with kneeling that is not painful and not associated with swelling can be secondary to soft tissue folds moving over the edges of the knee joint. Most people have experienced this sensati... continue reading  about  My knee popped out of place two weeks ago. I popped it right back, and the swelling and pain have gone away. Is this normal, or does it indicate a problem?

C. Scott Walthour

C. Scott Walthour, M.D.

Memorial Medical Center Modesto

My knee pops out consistently when I work out. I'm 19 years old, at a healthy weight, and have an active lifestyle. I have quit working out several times due to painful cracks and pops. Is there anything that I can do to prevent this from happening?

A knee that decides to "pop" or make cracking sounds can be quite alarming. I think that all of us at one time or another have kneeled down and had our knees make a loud noise, but no pain occurs. In the majori... continue reading  about  My knee pops out consistently when I work out. I'm 19 years old, at a healthy weight, and have an active lifestyle. I have quit working out several times due to painful cracks and pops. Is there anything that I can do to prevent this from happening?

C. Scott Walthour

C. Scott Walthour, M.D.

Memorial Medical Center Modesto

What's the fastest way to recover from Achilles tendonitis? I have a case of insertional tendonitis, and it's been six weeks since I've been able to run. I'd like to get back to my activities.

Thanks for the question - this is one that we get frequently! Achilles tendon issues are quite common and can vary in severity from annoying to debilitating. Mild tendonitis, or inflammation of the tendon, can ... continue reading  about  What's the fastest way to recover from Achilles tendonitis? I have a case of insertional tendonitis, and it's been six weeks since I've been able to run. I'd like to get back to my activities.

C. Scott Walthour

C. Scott Walthour, M.D.

Memorial Medical Center Modesto

I had an X-ray and MRI on my right knee for severe pain. The radiologist said there was an ACL tear, but my doctor attributed it to arthritis. I don't have swelling and the pain is intermittent. If it were arthritis, wouldn't I have other symptoms?

This is a complicated question, so I'll try to break it down into two issues.First, let's talk about the ACL tear diagnosis. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the four main stabilizers of the knee.... continue reading  about  I had an X-ray and MRI on my right knee for severe pain. The radiologist said there was an ACL tear, but my doctor attributed it to arthritis. I don't have swelling and the pain is intermittent. If it were arthritis, wouldn't I have other symptoms?

C. Scott Walthour

C. Scott Walthour, M.D.

Memorial Medical Center Modesto

I am 79 years old and fairly fit, but I have some problems with balance and a lot of pain in my knees. An orthopedist said I had "bone-on-bone" issues. Do you have any advice for me that could help me make a decision about knee replacements?

This is an extremely common question, and I'm glad you brought it up. Osteoarthritis of the knee is a "wear and tear" phenomenon that affects the majority of the population during their later years. It is not a... continue reading  about  I am 79 years old and fairly fit, but I have some problems with balance and a lot of pain in my knees. An orthopedist said I had "bone-on-bone" issues. Do you have any advice for me that could help me make a decision about knee replacements?

William Whang

William Whang, M.D.

Memorial Medical Center Modesto

I had full hip replacement surgery last year (left side) and it worked well. However, my right hip is now hurting. How can I lose weight effectively without irritating the bad hip?

Losing weight is challenging enough and is more difficult in the presence of degenerative arthritis. The mainstays of weight loss are diet and exercise, so I'd like to focus on exercise in the presence of an ar... continue reading  about  I had full hip replacement surgery last year (left side) and it worked well. However, my right hip is now hurting. How can I lose weight effectively without irritating the bad hip?

C. Scott Walthour

C. Scott Walthour, M.D.

Memorial Medical Center Modesto

I recently heard about a new knee procedure that uses medical separators rather than total knee replacement to relieve pain from osteoarthritis degeneration. Can you tell me about this and where to find out about getting it done?

Thanks for the great question. Osteoarthritis is a common cause of knee pain - it is the "wear and tear" degeneration of the knee's cartilage layer that occurs over time. In basic terms, it is like the brake pa... continue reading  about  I recently heard about a new knee procedure that uses medical separators rather than total knee replacement to relieve pain from osteoarthritis degeneration. Can you tell me about this and where to find out about getting it done?

C. Scott Walthour

C. Scott Walthour, M.D.

Memorial Medical Center Modesto

My left knee cap hurts very much when I put weight on it, especially when I kneel. Also it becomes very warm. What can be causing this?

Thanks for the question! Some of the most common questions/complaints that orthopedic surgeons discuss with patients are knee cap issues. This small bone on the front of the knee (anatomically called the patell... continue reading  about  My left knee cap hurts very much when I put weight on it, especially when I kneel. Also it becomes very warm. What can be causing this?

C. Scott Walthour

C. Scott Walthour, M.D.

Memorial Medical Center Modesto

My daughter fell hard on her knee playing volleyball. An x-ray showed no fracture of the patella, but it did indicate pre-patellar bursitis. Is there anything she can do to speed up the healing?

This injury described presumably involves the front part of the knee called the pre-patellar bursa. Beneath the skin (and above the bone) the body has a natural cushion called a bursa. These fluid-filled sacs a... continue reading  about  My daughter fell hard on her knee playing volleyball. An x-ray showed no fracture of the patella, but it did indicate pre-patellar bursitis. Is there anything she can do to speed up the healing?

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