Did you know the hip joint has the most muscles acting directly upon it than any other joint in the body? The hip joint has 25 muscles that create movement and stability around the hip and lower extremity. Approximately 80% of people who have hip pain, did not experience an injury or traumatic event, meaning most people develop hip pain over time. This may be due to weakness or dysfunction of the muscles surrounding the hip. The hip joints connect the lower extremity to the rest of the body and are most important in allowing us to walk. Weakness in these muscles that surround the hip can not only lead to hip pain but may contribute to knee and ankle pain. If you are having hip pain, a physiotherapist has all the tools to assess, treat and provide an exercise program to target any weakness or dysfunction around the hip.

Kristy Maksymyk BMR-PT, www.prairietrailphysio.ca