Most commonly, acute injuries from falls or slips can result in pain and injury to hips, knees, lower legs, ankles, and feet. Deceleration and twisting injuries can be particularly dangerous to the knee. Chronic pain in the knees and lower extremities can be the result of overuse and deconditioning injuries such as stress fractures and tendonitis.

Wear and tear, arthritis, growth plate injury, trauma, and disease can cause joint pain in a variety of patients from young athletes to older adults. Whether in the knees, hips or ankles, levels of pain can range from a small irritation to a debilitating condition.

When sustaining an injury to a knee, ankle, toe or other extremity, people often use the “wait and see” approach, hoping the injury will heal on its own. But not seeking medical treatment can lead to additional joint damage, altered movement patterns, chronic weakness, or even further joint pain due to overcompensation.