What is the cause of right hip and knee pain?

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Last updated: February 23, 2025View editorial policy

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Differential Diagnosis for Right Hip and Knee Pain

Single Most Likely Diagnosis

  • Osteoarthritis: This is a common condition that affects the joints, causing pain and stiffness. The hip and knee are frequently affected, and the pain can be exacerbated by weight-bearing activities.

Other Likely Diagnoses

  • Tendinitis or bursitis: Inflammation of the tendons or bursae around the hip and knee can cause pain and stiffness.
  • Ligament sprain: A sprain of the ligaments surrounding the hip or knee can cause pain and instability.
  • Meniscal tear: A tear in the cartilage of the knee can cause pain, stiffness, and locking of the joint.
  • Hip or knee strain: A strain of the muscles around the hip or knee can cause pain and stiffness.

Do Not Miss Diagnoses

  • Septic arthritis: A bacterial infection of the joint can cause severe pain, swelling, and fever. If left untreated, it can lead to joint destruction and systemic infection.
  • Avascular necrosis: A loss of blood supply to the bone can cause pain and collapse of the bone. If left untreated, it can lead to severe arthritis and disability.
  • Fracture: A break in the bone can cause severe pain and instability. If left untreated, it can lead to malunion, nonunion, or avascular necrosis.
  • Deep vein thrombosis: A blood clot in the deep veins can cause pain, swelling, and warmth in the affected leg. If left untreated, it can lead to pulmonary embolism and death.

Rare Diagnoses

  • Osteonecrosis: A rare condition that causes death of bone tissue due to lack of blood supply.
  • Synovial chondromatosis: A rare condition that causes growth of cartilage in the joint, leading to pain and stiffness.
  • Pigmented villonodular synovitis: A rare condition that causes growth of tissue in the joint, leading to pain and stiffness.
  • Bone tumor: A rare condition that causes growth of abnormal tissue in the bone, leading to pain and weakness.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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