Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health Knee and Groin Pain Could Signal Hip Problems
Oct 24, 2025
Many don't realize that knee or groin pain might actually stem from hip issues, thanks to something called referred pain. This misinterpretation can lead to delayed treatment and worsening conditions. Younger adults are facing bone density loss and early signs of osteoarthritis due to poor lifestyles. Effective healing often combines medical care, physical therapy, and nutrition. Listeners are encouraged to track their pain for better evaluation and learn effective hip stability exercises to boost recovery.
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Referred Pain Masks Hip Origin
- The brain can misinterpret hip pain as knee, thigh, or groin pain due to shared nerve pathways.
- This referred pain often sends patients down the wrong treatment path for months.
Ask For Hip-Focused Evaluation
- If knee therapy fails repeatedly, ask whether your hip is the real origin and request a hip-focused exam.
- Use X-rays, MRI, or diagnostic hip injections to confirm the source before treating the wrong joint.
Hip Osteoarthritis Presents Indirectly
- Hip osteoarthritis commonly produces a limp, night pain, and ache radiating toward the thigh or knee.
- These patterns help distinguish hip-origin pain from isolated knee problems.