Overcompensating Can Wear on the Hips and Knees

If you are experiencing new hip pain or knee pain, wear-and-tear could be responsible. While this is often the natural result of aging, there is a chance you are inadvertently causing the issue through overcompensation.

The lower limbs are supported by load bearing joints which include the ankles, knees and hips. Responsible for carrying the weight of your body and performing a range of movements, these joints experience significant forces.

Overcompensating puts additional pressure on one or more joints, resulting in increased wear-and-tear. There are several reasons that you may favor a particular lower limb when at rest or in motion. You may not even know that there are issues with the way you walk, run or your posture when at rest.

Pain Relief

One of the most common reasons that individuals tend to unconsciously overcompensate is to relieve pain. For example, if you have arthritis in your left knee, you may be inclined to put more weight on the right leg when walking.

This can result in misalignment of the knee and hip joint of the heavy leg. Increased wear-and-tear may occur in these joints, leading to further bone health concerns. Another issue with overcompensating in this way is the potential for joints popping out or dislocating.

Lower Back & Spine Conditions

Some lower back and spine conditions impact your overall posture and how you move. If you find yourself leaning to one side, you may also find that lower joints on that side become painful or inflamed.

The human body has evolved in a way that allows component parts to work together effectively. This delicate balance is upset when you overcompensate to relieve pain or pressure in one area of the body to the detriment of another. There are better ways to ease back pain that won’t put pressure on your lower joints.

Hip & Knee Pain Treatment

If you are suffering from wear-and-tear in a knee or hip, reach out to Dr. Kabaei and his team in Beverly Hills for consultation. We can provide effective treatment options, including partial or full joint replacement with robotic precision surgeries. Call Robotic Hip and Knee Replacement LA today to book your first appointment.