Pain in the hips, knees, ankles, or feet can result from joint degeneration, ligament injuries, nerve irritation, or chronic conditions. Proper evaluation is key to selecting the most effective treatment. At Minimally Invasive Pain Specialists, we combine advanced care options with personalized solutions to help patients recover mobility and minimize discomfort. By integrating insights from neurology in Dearborn, Michigan, our approach addresses both nerve-related and musculoskeletal causes of lower extremity pain.
Compression Fracture
Fractures of the vertebrae can sometimes radiate pain to the legs due to nerve compression or structural changes in the spine. These are more common in individuals with osteoporosis or after trauma.
Treatment Options:
- Kyphoplasty: Injection of bone cement to stabilize the vertebra and reduce pain
- Surgery: Removal of bone fragments pressing on nerves
Anterior and Posterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL/PCL) Injuries
ACL or PCL injuries often occur with an abrupt twist of the knee while the foot is planted, leading to instability, pain, and swelling.
Treatment Options:
- Physical Therapy: To restore strength and mobility
- Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Injection: Stimulates healing in damaged ligaments
- Arthroscopic Surgical Repair: For severe ligament tears or instability
Bursitis (Hip)
Bursitis causes pain on the outside (lateral) hip, often due to abnormal movement of the iliotibial (IT) band over the greater trochanter of the femur. It can develop secondary to limping or an altered gait due to back or leg pain.
Treatment Options:
- Physical Therapy: Corrects gait and strengthens supporting muscles
- IT Band Foam Rolling & Stretching
- Gluteus Medius Strengthening
- Steroid Injection: Reduces inflammation in the bursa
Chronic Hip Pain
Most commonly caused by arthritis, often age-related degeneration. Patients may experience pain with walking, standing, or climbing stairs.
Treatment Options:
- Physical Therapy: To maintain joint mobility and strength
- Steroid Injection into the Hip Joint: Reduces inflammation
- Hip Sensory Branch Rhizotomy: Disrupts pain signals from the hip joint
- Hip Replacement Surgery: For severe degeneration or unrelenting pain
Chronic Knee Pain
Often caused by arthritis in the knee joint, leading to stiffness, swelling, and reduced mobility.
Treatment Options:
- Physical Therapy: Strengthens muscles around the knee to reduce pain
- Steroid Injection: Reduces inflammation
- Viscous Gel Injection: Lubricates the joint to improve movement
- Genicular Nerve Ablation: “Burns” nerves that sense pain in the knee
- Joint Replacement Surgery: For advanced arthritis
- Peripheral Nerve Stimulator Implant: For pain after surgery (Nalumed)
- Temporary Peripheral Nerve Stimulator: Provides short-term pain relief (SPR Therapeutics)
- Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulator Implant: For persistent post-surgical pain
Chronic Ankle & Foot Pain
Chronic pain in the ankle or foot can result from strains, sprains, arthritis, CRPS, or unresolved post-surgical pain.
Treatment Options:
- Steroid Injections: Reduce inflammation and pain
- Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Injection: Promotes healing in damaged tissues
- Peripheral Nerve Stimulator Implant: Modulates nerve signals to reduce pain
- Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulator Implant: For resistant, chronic pain
Key Takeaway
Lower extremity pain can arise from joints, ligaments, muscles, or nerves. Most cases respond well to physical therapy in Michigan, injections, or neuromodulation. Surgery is reserved for severe injuries, advanced arthritis, or persistent post-surgical pain.