Do you suffer from pain that starts in your hip and runs down to your knee? You are not alone. Pain from hip to knee is common, especially in people with joint complaints or as you get older. This radiating pain can significantly impact your daily life: walking, sleeping, getting up, or climbing stairs becomes more difficult, and the symptoms can even persist at night.
In this blog, you'll read about the possible causes of this pain, which symptoms indicate it, and what you can do to reduce the complaints. We'll also explain how you can start moving on your own with the MotiMove app, in a way that suits your body and symptoms.
What causes pain between the hip and knee?
Pain that radiates from the hip to the knee is often caused by a problem in the hip joint, lower back, pelvis, or surrounding muscles and nerves. A common cause is hip osteoarthritis, or wear and tear of the cartilage in the hip joint. This condition occurs mainly in people over 50 and leads to stiffness, restricted movement, and radiating pain towards the thigh or knee.
Other possible causes are:
- Bursitis on the outer side of the hip
- Overuse of muscles or tendons, often from prolonged sitting or incorrect movement
- Nerve entrapment in the lower back, as in a herniated disc
- Problems in the SI joint (pelvic instability or blockage)
- Pain from the lower back that runs through to the thigh or knee
The exact cause is not always immediately clear. The place where you feel the pain doesn't always indicate where the real problem lies.
How do you recognize radiating hip pain?
The pain often starts deep in the groin or buttock and radiates to the thigh or the side of the leg. Sometimes it feels as if the pain comes directly from the hip, but it can also pull towards the knee or even the foot. Other characteristics include:
- Pain when walking, climbing stairs, or standing for long periods
- Start-up pain after sitting or lying down
- Difficulty getting out of bed or a chair
- Pain when rotating or bending the hip
- Reduced mobility
If you recognize these symptoms, it's good to take action. The sooner you start moving in a responsible way, the better you can manage your symptoms.
What can you do yourself about pain from hip to knee?
Keep moving is essential. With joint pain, it is often tempting to rest, but sitting still for too long worsens the symptoms over time. Proper and targeted movement helps you strengthen your muscles, improves circulation, and makes your joints more flexible.
The MotiMove app was developed exactly for this purpose—a movement app for people with joint complaints such as hip pain, knee pain, and osteoarthritis. The app enables you to practice safely at home, even if you have little experience or are having a bad day.
What makes the app special:
- You get access to clear exercise videos, specially designed for people with joint pain
- You can track your complaints daily in a pain diary, so you gain insight into your progress
- The app helps you set small, attainable goals that motivate you to keep moving
- With clear graphs and statistics, you can see what works for your body
The exercises in the app are designed with the help of physical therapists and people with lived experience. This way, you know for sure that you're working safely and responsibly on recovery and self-management.
Start today with MotiMove
Pain between your hip and knee doesn't have to keep controlling your daily life. By actively getting started, you increase your control and improve your mobility, step by step.