What causes joint pain in knees and hips?
Mia Kelly
Published Jan 22, 2026
Hip pain and knee pain is often caused by an over-use injury from a repetitive motion. Such as swinging a golf club or tennis racquet. Surprisingly, even a less strenuous activity like gardening can cause a pain in the knee or hip pain. Other common causes include osteoarthritis, bursitis, or an injury or fall.
How do I get rid of hip and knee pain?
Make sure you get enough rest. While it's important to stay active, give your joints time off when they hurt. You can also try acetaminophen (Tylenol) and anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve) if your doctor says these are safe for you.
When should I worry about joint pain?
Make an appointment with your doctor if your joint pain is accompanied by: Swelling. Redness. Tenderness and warmth around the joint.
What causes arthritis in hips and knees?
Hip osteoarthritis is typically caused by wear and tear related to aging and worsens over time. The breakdown of cartilage leads to pain and inflammation. Hip osteoarthritis may develop faster in some people due to irregular shape of the bones forming the hip joint.
What does arthritis in hips and knees feel like?
Joint stiffness after you sit for a long time. Any pain, swelling, or tenderness in the hip joint. A sound or feeling ("crunching") of bone rubbing against bone. Inability to move the hip to perform routine activities such as putting on your socks.
20 related questions foundIs walking good for hip arthritis?
Walking: Bone and joint specialists suggest that walking is one of the best forms of exercise for hip arthritis. Walking boosts blood flow to your cartilage, giving it the nutrients necessary to provide cushion to the ends of your joints.
How do I know if I have osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis?
Disease Onset
Osteoarthritis tends to develop gradually over several years, as the joint cartilage wears away. Eventually the bones of your joints rub against each other. In contrast, the pain and stiffness of rheumatoid arthritis can develop and worsen over several weeks or a few months.
How can I prevent my hip arthritis from getting worse?
Slowing Osteoarthritis Progression
- Maintain a Healthy Weight. Excess weight puts additional pressure on weight-bearing joints, such as the hips and knees. ...
- Control Blood Sugar. ...
- Get Physical. ...
- Protect Joints. ...
- Choose a Healthy Lifestyle.
Does walking make hip arthritis worse?
Symptoms of Hip Arthritis
The pain is generally worse with weight bearing activities (e.g., walking, standing, or twisting).
At what age does arthritis usually start?
It most commonly starts among people between the ages of 40 and 60. It's more common in women than men. There are drugs that can slow down an over-active immune system and therefore reduce the pain and swelling in joints.
Can Covid make joints hurt?
Recent research published in The Lancet in October 2020 finds that nearly 15 percent of COVID-19 patients report experiencing joint pain. “Viral infections are a known cause of acute arthralgia [joint pain] and arthritis,” the authors of the research write.
What is lupus joint pain like?
Lupus can also cause inflammation in the joints, which doctors call “inflammatory arthritis.” It can make your joints hurt and feel stiff, tender, warm, and swollen. Lupus arthritis most often affects joints that are farther from the middle of your body, like your fingers, wrists, elbows, knees, ankles, and toes.
Is pain in joints a symptom of COVID-19?
The typical symptoms of COVID-19 range from those resembling the flu or a bad cold to ones that are much more severe. However, there are less frequent symptoms you probably wouldn't expect that follow some people both during the illness and long after recovery. One of those is muscle and joint pain from COVID-19.
Which is better for hip and knee pain?
Medications. Pain relievers are usually the first choice of therapy for osteoarthritis of the hip and knee. Simple pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), are available without a prescription and can be effective in reducing pain.
Is walking good for arthritis in the knee?
Walking is a fantastic option for many patients with knee arthritis because it is a low-impact activity that does not put undue stress on the joints. Furthermore, walking can increase the knee's range of motion and keep it from becoming overly stiff.
How do I know if I have arthritis in my hip?
Arthritis Symptoms
- Pain in the hip joint that may include pain in the groin, outer thigh, or buttocks.
- Pain that is typically worse in the morning and lessens with activity.
- Difficulty walking or walking with a limp.
- Pain that worsens with vigorous or extended activity.
- Stiffness in the hip or limited range of motion.
What helps arthritis in hips and knees?
Nonsurgical treatments for hip arthritis
- activity modification (reducing or stopping activities that cause pain)
- weight loss (to reduce strain on the joint)
- physical therapy.
- NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication drugs) such as: ibuprofen (Advil) naproxen (Aleve) ...
- corticosteroid injections.
How do I know if my hip pain is serious?
Seek immediate medical attention
- A joint that appears deformed.
- Inability to move your leg or hip.
- Inability to bear weight on the affected leg.
- Intense pain.
- Sudden swelling.
- Any signs of infection (fever, chills, redness)
What are the first signs of needing a hip replacement?
Here are some warning signs that it's the right time for surgery
- Stiffness.
- Arthritic or damaged hip joints.
- Persistent pain in the hip or groin.
- Pain that does not respond to other treatments.
- Hips experiencing inflammation or swelling.
How should I sleep with hip arthritis?
9 Ways You Can Sleep Better with Osteoarthritis
- Use heat therapy before bed. Ease a painful joint by using a heating pad for 15 to 20 minutes before bed. ...
- Consider your mattress. ...
- Use pillows strategically. ...
- Rule out sleep apnea. ...
- Exercise and stretch. ...
- Avoid eating after 9 PM. ...
- Practice good sleep hygiene. ...
- Start meditating.
What is the fastest way to relieve hip pain?
Another way to relieve hip pain is by holding ice to the area for about 15 minutes a few times a day. Try to rest the affected joint as much as possible until you feel better. You may also try heating the area. A warm bath or shower can help ready your muscle for stretching exercises that can lessen pain.
What is the best exercise for arthritis in the hips?
Good options for hip and knee OA include:
- Walking.
- Swimming.
- Biking.
- Elliptical training.
- Cross-country skiing.
What are the 4 stages of osteoarthritis?
The main stages of OA are:
- Stage 0 (pre-osteoarthritis)
- Stage 1 (early or doubtful)
- Stage 2 (mild or minimal)
- Stage 3 (moderate)
- Stage 4 (severe)
What is septic arthritis knee?
Septic arthritis is an infection in the joint (synovial) fluid and joint tissues. Different types of bacteria, viruses, and fungi can infect a joint. Symptoms include fever, joint pain, swelling, redness, and warmth. Quick treatment with antibiotics is needed to halt the risk of joint damage.
Does osteoarthritis hurt all the time?
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that worsens over time, often resulting in chronic pain. Joint pain and stiffness can become severe enough to make daily tasks difficult. Depression and sleep disturbances can result from the pain and disability of osteoarthritis.