Knee pain is a common complaint among individuals of all ages and activity levels. It can range from mild discomfort to debilitating pain that affects daily activities. While there are many factors that can contribute to knee pain, one area that is often overlooked is the role of the hip adductors.
The hip adductors are a group of muscles located on the inner side of the thigh. They help to bring the thigh towards the midline of the body and play a crucial role in maintaining proper alignment and stability of the lower extremity. When these muscles are weak or imbalanced, it can lead to a variety of issues, including knee pain.
One way in which weak hip adductors can contribute to knee pain is through excessive stress on the knee joint. When the hip adductors are weak, other muscles in the leg, such as the quads and hamstrings, may compensate by becoming stronger. This imbalance can lead to increased forces being placed on the knee joint, especially during activities that require bending and straightening of the knee, such as walking, running, or climbing stairs. Over time, this increased stress can result in pain and inflammation in the knee.
Another way in which weak hip adductors can contribute to knee pain is through altered biomechanics. When the hip adductors are weak, it can cause the hip to drop and the knee to rotate inwards, a movement known as knee valgus. This misalignment can put excessive stress on the structures of the knee, including the ligaments, cartilage, and patella (kneecap). This can lead to conditions such as patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS), IT band syndrome, or meniscus tears.
On the other side, tight adductor muscle can force the knee joint into varus alignment and put excessive pressure on medial joint line and medial meniscus. Over the time, this altered biomechanics, and pain can lead to full blown picture of Osteoarthritis knee. Correction is possible with simple means, Adductor trigger release followed by stretching exercises.
If addressed early we can easily prevent this problem from causing pain & discomfort.
Live life free from pain & disabilities.