The hip is unlike any other joint. It is a ball-and-socket joint that is made up of the femoral head (the “ball”) and the acetabulum (the “socket”). The hip is surrounded by some of the strongest muscles and ligaments in the body.
The hips are affected by the feet and knees. For instance, fallen foot arches causes a knocked knee and shifts the hip outwards. The pelvis then drops down on that side and the lower spine curves to compensate. That is why chiropractors will look at the ENTIRE lower kinetic chain. This includes the foot, ankle, knee, hip, pelvis, and spine when your hip hurts.
Ankle pronation: This is the inward rolling of the ankle often associated with a flat foot. These are often corrected with heel wedges or customized arch supports.
Knocked-knees: Ankle pronation can result in “knocked-knees” (genu valgus) which overloads or jams the outer knee joint. This leads to over-stretching the inner knee joint and ligaments. The kneecap (patella) then rides excessively hard on the outer surface of the femoral groove in which it glides as one bends and straightens their knee, causing kneecap pain.
Hip inward angulation (or coxa vera): As the knee shifts inward or knocks, the head of the femur moves outward, leaving the joint less stable. A short leg occurs when the pelvis drops on that side further destabilizing the lower kinetic chain.
Once ankle pronation is properly corrected the pelvis becomes level so it can properly serve as a strong foundation for the spine!
On a future post we will discuss the role of muscle imbalances. Particularly for the hip we commonly see a need to strengthen hip extensor muscles and stretch tight hip flexors and adductor muscles! The good news is chiropractors can help you with this common problem!
