Our hips and knees can take a real beating over a lifetime. If you’re active or have a family history of arthritis, or maybe you are one of the unlucky souls with an injury to these joints, chances are pretty high that you’ll feel aches, pains, or stiffness at some point.

If that sounds like you, know that you are in good company. Fifteen million other Americans are struggling with achy, painful joints. When I’m out in Chestnut Hill, I see the prevalence of joint pain. I had the pleasure of speaking with members of the Rotary Club, where more than half of the group lived with chronic pain and about two-thirds had received some type of orthopedic treatment. Then I went to McNally’s with my family the other night and saw so many people struggling to get up and down from their chairs. I wanted to reach out and tell them that I could help.

It’s great to be in a community with so many active older adults but the reality is that a lifetime in sports and athletic activities can put stress on the joints. Typically, high-impact activities like running, soccer and racquetball, or repetitive jumping sports such as basketball, cause knee and hip joints to wear out as we age.

Having your hip or knee pain evaluated by a qualified specialist may be in your best interest.

Fear not, though. If your glory days are behind you, there are lower-impact options to stay fit and active. Walking, light aerobics, swimming, biking, hiking, treadmill and the elliptical are great alternatives to high-impact activities.

Entertainer Jack Benny once said, “I don’t deserve this award, but I have arthritis and I don’t deserve that either.” Arthritis, or the wearing out of the protective surface called cartilage, is a chronic degenerative condition commonly found in the hips and knees. As we age, most cases of hip and knee pain are the direct result of osteoarthritis, which is one of the leading causes of disability in our country.

People as young as in their forties can develop arthritis, but it’s typically seen in people 50 and above. Hip arthritis can feel like a “groin pull” with groin achiness or thigh discomfort typically ending at the knee. You may also experience achiness or pain in your buttock. Arthritis of the knee is typically localized to the area surrounding the knee itself, but it can radiate up and down the leg. Pain that is caused by arthritis of the hip or knee is often described as chronic, and dull like a toothache - but can also be sharp, stabbing or shooting.

These symptoms typically get worse with walking, climbing stairs, standing, and donning shoes or socks. Sometimes, arthritis can even adversely affect sleep. If your hip or knee pain is constant or slowly progressing, seek out the opinion of a healthcare professional. 

Your primary care provider is a great place to start. He or she may refer you to an orthopedic surgeon, a specialist trained in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. Surgery is rarely a first-line treatment. There are many conservative options available that can be considered before recommending any invasive procedure. Above all, remember this: When in doubt, check it out!

Stop by and say hello to me in person at the Pastorius Park Concert on Wednesday, June 22. I’ll be at a table in the rear of the amphitheater before the show at 7 p.m.

Jeffrey Vakil, M.D., is an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in hips and knees. He is currently accepting new patients in his office located at 8815 Germantown Pike, Suite 14, in Philadelphia. Please call 484-768-9101 for an appointment or fill out a secure online appointment form.