Knee Pain in Portsmouth, NH? 4 Hidden Causes Most People Overlook

Knee pain can be stubborn – especially if you’ve already tried stretching, strengthening, injections, or even surgery with little to no relief.

If you live in Portsmouth, NH or the Seacoast area, and you’ve been told your pain is simply “wear and tear,” arthritis, or aging – you’re not alone.

But here’s something most people aren’t told…

There are plenty of people with arthritis and age-related changes who have no knee pain at all.

So what’s really going on?

At our Portsmouth physical therapy clinic, we often find that knee pain isn’t always a knee problem. If your pain keeps coming back despite following conventional advice, one of these four lesser-known causes may be the real reason your knee pain won’t go away.

1. Your Knee Pain Might Actually Be Coming From Your Lower Back

Many Portsmouth residents are surprised to learn that nearly 40% of extremity pain originates from the spine – even when there’s no back pain present.

The nerves that control your knee function begin in your lower back. If those nerves are irritated or compressed, you may feel pain in your knee instead.

Signs your knee pain could be coming from your back:

Pain that moves up or down your leg
Discomfort that worsens with prolonged sitting
Knee treatments that don’t seem to work

This is why working with a mechanical back pain specialist in Portsmouth, NH can make all the difference. Treating the source — not just the symptoms – is key.

2. Weak Core and Hips Can Lead to Chronic Knee Pain

When most people think about core strength, they think about abs – not knees. But your core, hips, and glutes stabilize your entire lower body.

If these muscles are weak, your knees absorb extra stress. Over time, this can lead to:

Knee pain when walking or running
Instability on one leg
Pain after prolonged activity
Recurring knee flare-ups

At our Portsmouth physical therapy clinic, we frequently see knee pain resolve once proper hip and core stability is restored.

3. Limited Ankle Mobility Could Be Causing Your Knee Pain

Your ankles are the foundation of your lower body. If they lack mobility or stability, your knees compensate.

This is especially common in active adults in the Seacoast area who enjoy:

Running
Hiking
Golf
Tennis
Gym workouts

If your ankles are stiff or unstable, your knees take the hit. Improving ankle mobility can dramatically reduce stress on the knee joint.

4. Your Knee May Not Be Moving the Way It Should

One of the most overlooked causes of knee pain is mobility restriction – especially loss of slight hyperextension.

Most rehab programs focus on bending the knee. But proper knee mechanics require full extension – and often slight hyperextension. If your knee stops at “just straight,” it may still be restricted.

This is extremely common after knee surgery in Portsmouth-area patients, where full mobility isn’t always restored.

If one knee doesn’t move like the other, it may be time to work with a mechanical knee pain specialist who can restore proper joint motion.

Why Your Knee Pain Isn’t Going Away

If you’ve been dealing with persistent knee pain in Portsmouth, NH, there’s a strong possibility that:

You were given the wrong diagnosis
You’ve been treating the wrong area
Or your rehab plan didn’t address the root cause

The true problem may be coming from your back, hips, ankles, or movement restrictions that are placing secondary stress on your knee.

A mechanical pain specialist trained to assess the entire body can identify the real source and create a personalized plan to finally resolve your knee pain – without unnecessary injections or procedures.

Looking for Knee Pain Treatment in Portsmouth, NH?

If you’re local to Portsmouth or the Seacoast area and want answers, consider speaking with one of the specialists at CJ Physical Therapy & Pilates.

Led by Dr. Carrie Jose, our team specializes in mechanical knee pain treatment and helping active adults get back to walking, exercising, and living fully – without relying on injections or surgery.

Request a FREE Discovery Visit with one of our specialists to determine the true cause of your knee pain.

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