Knee and Hip Arthritis: What’s Actually Causing Your Pain, and What Helps

Knee or hip pain that lasts more than a few weeks is one of the most common reasons adults in Central Maryland come to OACM. Often, that pain is an early sign of arthritis. May is Arthritis Awareness Month, a useful prompt to take a closer look at the joint that’s been bothering you.

This article covers what arthritis actually is, the signs it’s time to see an orthopedic provider, and the treatment options OACM uses, from least invasive to most. Featured provider: Scott M. Adams, MD, board-certified orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist.

What arthritis actually is

“Arthritis” is an umbrella term for more than 100 joint conditions. The form most people mean when they say “my arthritis” is osteoarthritis, a gradual wearing-down of the smooth cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones. When that cartilage thins, the bones don’t glide the way they used to. You feel that as stiffness, ache, swelling, grinding, or sharp pain with certain movements.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and a leading cause of disability in U.S. adults. The knee and the hip are two of the joints most often affected, because they carry most of your body weight every time you walk, climb stairs, or get in and out of a chair.

Other forms of arthritis, like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and gout, are driven by the immune system or by metabolism, not by wear and tear. They can look similar from the outside but are treated differently. Part of an orthopedic evaluation is making sure you’re being treated for the right kind.

Why Central Maryland patients feel it in May

Arthritis doesn’t actually get “worse” in warmer weather. But your activity often does. After a quieter winter, many of our patients in Catonsville, Columbia, Eldersburg, and Fulton come back to yard work, golf, pickleball, long walks, and home projects, and joints that were managing just fine in February suddenly have opinions.

Common spring flare triggers we see at OACM include:

• A sharp jump in activity. A three-hour gardening session after months off can flare a knee that was stable at the winter baseline.
• Carrying, lifting, and twisting. Mulch bags, planters, and wheelbarrows all ask your hips and knees to rotate under load.
• Weight changes. Every pound of body weight puts roughly four pounds of pressure on the knees; even a modest weight change can meaningfully shift how force travels through an arthritic joint.
• Skipped physical therapy or home exercises. Stiffness builds quickly when the surrounding muscles weaken.

None of these causes arthritis on its own, but several stacked together is usually why the pain you’d been managing suddenly feels different.

Signs it’s time to see an orthopedic provider

Not every sore knee or stiff hip needs an office visit. But consider scheduling with an OACM orthopedic provider if any of these are true:

• Pain lasts more than a few weeks despite rest, over-the-counter anti-inflammatories, and activity modification
• You’re waking up because of joint pain
• You’re avoiding stairs, hills, or getting out of low chairs
• You notice swelling, warmth, redness, or a catching/locking sensation
• Your walking distance or pace has shrunk without a clear explanation
• You’ve started limping, even a little
• Simple activities like putting on socks or getting out of the car have become painful

Earlier evaluation usually means more treatment options on the table. The AAOS treatment guideline for knee osteoarthritis begins with non-surgical care, which works for many patients.

Treatment options that may help, from least to most invasive

Your OACM orthopedic provider will typically recommend a stepped approach, starting with the least invasive options and moving up only if needed.

Activity modification and weight management. Small adjustments to how, and how often, you do the things that flare you up can make a meaningful difference. Many patients benefit from swapping high-impact activities for cycling, swimming, or elliptical work during a flare.

Physical therapy. Targeted strengthening around the knee and hip (quads, glutes, and core) takes load off the joint and improves how it moves. OACM’s physical therapy team works out of eight Central Maryland locations: Catonsville, Clarksville, Columbia, Eldersburg, Ellicott City, Fulton, Laurel, and Westminster, so you’re not driving 40 minutes for each session.

Bracing and assistive devices. Unloader braces, trekking poles, and occasional cane use aren’t signs of giving up; they’re tools that let you stay active while the joint calms down.

Medications. Over-the-counter NSAIDs help many patients short-term. Your provider may also discuss topical anti-inflammatories.

Injections. When conservative care isn’t enough, options may include corticosteroid injections (which AAOS guidelines describe as helpful for short-term relief), hyaluronic acid injections (sometimes called “gel shots,” not recommended for routine use by AAOS but still used in select cases), and platelet-rich plasma (limited AAOS recommendation; evidence continues to evolve). Your provider can help you weigh the trade-offs.

Joint-preserving surgery. For some patients, arthroscopic procedures or osteotomies can delay the need for a replacement. These are case-by-case conversations.

Joint replacement. When pain and function can’t be managed any other way, total or partial knee or hip replacement is a well-established option. Our OACM joint specialists perform both traditional and advanced techniques, including smart-sensor total knee replacement; Dr. Ke Xie performed the first smart total knee replacement in Maryland in 2022.

What to expect at an OACM visit

Most arthritis evaluations take a single office visit. Your provider will ask about your work, hobbies, family history, and how pain affects your day. They’ll examine the joint and watch how you move. Imaging, usually weight-bearing X-rays, is common on the first visit so we can see how the joint is actually loaded. MRI is generally reserved for patients where something else needs to be ruled out.

We’ll also talk about your goals. Gardening through the summer? Walking your daughter down the aisle? Returning to pickleball? Specific goals change which options we prioritize.

Featured provider

Scott M. Adams, MD is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist at OACM. Dr. Adams completed his sports medicine fellowship at Duke University Medical Center after his residency at the Medical College of Virginia. He has served as a team physician for Duke University athletics and as a physician with the United States Soccer Federation, including coverage at FIFA Women’s World Cup tournaments. At OACM, he sees patients at the Catonsville, Columbia, and Eldersburg clinics. His specialties include sports medicine, knee replacement, ACL and meniscus repair, cartilage restoration, and general orthopedics.

A familiar story

Brian Branagan’s story, shared with his permission. The full video testimonial is on the OACM YouTube channel.

Brian Branagan ran his whole life. As arthritis settled into both legs, even walking became hard. He came to OACM for a consultation, and Dr. Scott Silverstein performed total knee replacements on both legs. Brian is now back to the activities he thought he’d lost. (Real OACM patient. Story shared with patient permission. Individual results vary.)

Schedule an evaluation

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Adams or another OACM orthopedic provider, use our secure online scheduling  or call (410) 644-1880. We see patients at our Catonsville, Columbia, Eldersburg, and Fulton clinics, and our OACM After Hours service is available for urgent orthopedic issues outside weekday office hours.

Frequently asked questions

Disclaimer

The information in this article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always speak with a qualified orthopedic provider about your specific symptoms and medical history. To schedule an appointment with Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland, call (410) 644-1880 or visit mdbonedocs.com.