Are you having difficulty getting up and down from your chair or going up and down stairs? Are you avoiding activities because of aches or pain in your hips and knees? You may be experiencing arthritis due to injuries and/or age.
Your hips and knees are your largest joints, supporting your body’s weight. They work in close coordination, giving us the mobility we need to enjoy an active lifestyle. But pain can flare up and make our basic activities of daily living a challenge.
The good news is that at Michigan Orthopedic Center, our physical therapists can help you find solutions to your pain and help you get back to living the life you enjoy!
Call our clinic today to learn how we can help you to keep living the kind of life you want with less pain and movement restrictions.
Common Causes Of Hip, Knee, And Leg Pain
Hip, knee and leg pain are surprisingly common. Thus, their source can come from a variety of things. If you’re experiencing pain in any part of your leg, pinpointing the exact spot can help you determine the cause.
Joint injury and being overweight during early adulthood are signs of a trajectory towards symptomatic osteoarthritis later in life. Repetitive stress and overuse type injuries are more common with tendon related pains. Cartilage and/or ligament injuries are more commonly associated with slips, falls and sports injuries.
While many causes of pain exist, the most common are:
- Arthritis
- Sprains and strains
- Tendonitis
- Cartilage injuries
In rare or more severe cases, the causes can be:
- Fractures
- Dislocations
- Pinched nerves
While some causes are more serious than others, a physical therapist can identify what is causing your pain and help clarify what your next steps should be.
What Do My Symptoms Mean?
Aching or stiffness around the groin is likely coming from the hip joint. Although some think the outer aspect of their pelvis is the “hip,” they are really referring to muscles and not the joint itself. Clarifying the location of your pain will help your physical therapist figure out the source of your pain and the appropriate plan to resolve it.
The inner aspect of the knee is commonly thought to be where most people experience early joint pain or cartilage injury. Pain along the outer aspect of the knee is typically due to tendon related injury or inflammation.
A decreased range of motion and difficulty bearing weight can also be signs of deeper problems which may indicate a more serious condition that warrants seeking help sooner than later. Ignoring your pain, or waiting too long to be seen can make the problem worse and eliminate simple solutions.
Often it’s inactivity and avoiding movement that can contribute to immobility and pain. We know that our joints need movement for blood flow and nutrition to stay healthy. While some hip, knee and leg pains go away, those lasting longer than several months may be hinting at a deeper issue.
How Physical Therapy Helps
Education, exercise and weight loss are cornerstones of a successful outcome. Your physical therapist will assess your particular condition to identify the contributing factors and address all of them.
Physical therapists are skilled at hands-on intervention and exercise selection for the most comprehensive and appropriate intervention to help you resolve your pain and/or restore your function.
In many cases, physical therapy can help patients increase mobility, strength and function. Your therapist will design a program to restore lost motion, build your strength and teach you strategies for reducing pain and increasing your activity level.
Your therapist can help you reclaim a healthy lifestyle. From start to finish, we’re dedicated to your ongoing well-being. On every level, physical therapy serves to enhance the patient’s quality of life.
Contact Michigan Orthopedic Center today, and tell us about your symptoms. We offer the results you are looking for!
Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33560326/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30126395/, https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2021-07-29/more-than-half-of-americans-plagued-by-back-leg-pain, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25591130/
Celebrating the Career of Dr. J. Wesley Mesko
After more than 35 years of caring for patients and advancing orthopedic surgery, Dr. J. Wesley Mesko is retiring from clinical practice. Please join Michigan Orthopedic Center in recognizing his remarkable career and lasting impact on the communities he served.
A Career Defined by Excellence in Leadership and Patient Care
Dr. Mesko has practiced in the Lansing area since 1990 and has dedicated his career to helping people improve mobility, reduce pain, and get back to living healthy, active lives.
As a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Mesko specializes in hip and knee reconstruction, including joint replacement surgery for arthritis. Throughout his career, he also served in leadership and teaching roles, helping shape the next generation of orthopedic providers.
He was also instrumental in growing Michigan Orthopedic Center to the orthopedic center you see today. Without Dr. Mesko’s dedication to bringing in skilled, compassionate, and highly trained specialists, we would not be the largest independent orthopedic group in central Michigan.
A Few Highlights From 35+ Years of Service
- Chief of Orthopedics at Ingham Regional Medical Center and Ellsworth Air Force Base Hospital
- Clinical Professor at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine and College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Expanded the orthopedic team at Michigan Orthopedic Center to eleven board-certified orthopedic specialists, two nurse practitioners, and seven physician assistants
A Legacy of Healing: Thank You, Dr. Mesko!
Dr. Mesko’s dedication, expertise, and compassion have left a lasting mark on thousands of patients, colleagues, and trainees. The team at Michigan Orthopedic Center thanks him for his years of service and will continue to carry on his vision for high-quality orthopedic care in the Lansing community.
Take the Next Step Toward a Stronger Recovery
Facing orthopedic surgery or a sudden injury can make your daily routines feel daunting, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. At Michigan Orthopedic Center, we offer comprehensive, personalized pre- and postoperative physical therapy to help you achieve the best possible outcome. From building vital strength before your procedure to guiding your dedicated, hands-on rehabilitation afterward, we have you covered.
Exercise of the Month
Double Knees To Chest
(Lower Back, Hips)
Start on your back with your knees bent. Slowly bring both knees to your chest. Grasp your knees. Hold for 30 seconds and repeat. 1 Set, 3 Reps
Recovery In Lansing, Okemos, And Mid-Michigan
See How Patients Have Recovered In Lansing & Okemos
We’ve helped thousands of people in Lansing, Okemos, and the surrounding Mid-Michigan region return to the life they love. From everyday walkers to elite athletes, our patients’ stories are proof that with the right care and support, healing is possible.
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“I have never been made to feel like I am just a number.”
Dr. Meredith Heisey recently replaced my left shoulder, she has also repaired both rotator cuffs, and put my wrist back together after a fall while I out of the country. Dr. Heisey does not sugar coat the situation, she tells it like it is and I admire her for that. She and her team are…
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JANICE K GEARHART
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“It was a great experience.”
Two weeks ago today I had my right knee completely replaced by Dr. Taunt. He is simply the best. Yes I do have some swelling and stiffness but how many can say that they are at 116 degrees of flex at this stage. In regards to the staff at McLaren , everyone was professional and…
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TOM N.
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“I am grateful to be walking again!”
I am very grateful to Dr. Swords. After a traumatic fall from a ladder where I broke my knee in 3 pieces, Dr. Swords excellent work allowed me to walk in 4 months. I was able to get back to work in only four months after surgery. Today I am thankful for the magnificent care…
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M.S.L.
Elite Care for Hip and Knee Pain or Injuries
ABOUT DR. MESKO
Dr. Mesko is a fellowship trained orthopaedic surgeon who returns to his hometown. He completed residency at the Cleveland Clinic and further pursued his interest in hip and knee adult reconstructive surgery with a fellowship at RUSH University Medical Center. He trained with many of the leading innovators in minimally invasive techniques, anterior hip replacement, outpatient surgery and complex revision arthroplasty surgery. He also has expertise in robotic assisted hip and knee replacement surgery. Dr. Mesko values engaging patients in education and active dialogue. Through shared decision making, he partners with patients to customize treatment plans that position them for optimal return to their desired lifestyle.
DANIEL R. MESKO, D.O., IS A LANSING-AREA NATIVE WHO HAS HAD THE FOLLOWING TRAINING:
- Adult Reconstructive Hip and Knee Fellowship, RUSH University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
- Orthopedic Surgery Internship & Residency, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
- Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, East Lansing, Michigan
- BS – Applied Health Sciences, Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois
ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS, CERTIFICATIONS
- Board Certified, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, 2021
- Clinical Assistant Professor, Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Faculty, McLaren Greater Lansing Orthopedic Surgery Residency Program
AWARDS AND PUBLICATIONS
- Scored in the top 10% nationwide on medical boards
- Walter C. Mill Award for Excellence in Surgery (2012)
- Publications in the areas of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty, hip instability as well as prosthetic joint infection prevention/treatment
MEMBERSHIPS
- Fellow – American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS)
- Fellow – American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)
- Michigan Orthopaedic Society
HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS
OTHER INTERESTS
- Medical Mission trips including trips to Kenya, Peru and Nicaragua
- Ironman Triathlons, Soccer, Skiing, Fishing
Marry Me White Bean & Spinach Skillet
This Marry Me White Bean & Spinach Skillet is a different take on Marry Me Chicken—a dish traditionally made with chicken coated in a sun-dried tomato cream sauce. By swapping in fiber-packed white beans and spinach as the main ingredients, we’ve given it a vegetarian spin. You’ll want to sop up every last bit of sauce, so serve this with a nice hunk of crusty whole-grain bread.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ cup finely chopped shallots
- ½ cup drained oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 4 medium cloves garlic, minced (1½ tablespoons)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup dry white wine
- 2 packages baby spinach
- 2 cans no-salt-added cannellini beans, rinsed
- ½ cup unsalted vegetable broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil or small basil leaves
- Crusty whole-wheat bread for serving
Instructions
Step 1: Sauté Aromatics. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ½ cup shallots and ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes; cook, stirring often, until the shallots are softened, about 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and ½ teaspoon salt; stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Step 2: Reduce Wine. Add ½ cup wine and increase heat to medium-high; cook, stirring often, until the wine is almost fully reduced, about 2 minutes.
Step 3: Add Spinach & Beans. Add 2 (5-ounce) packages baby spinach; cook, stirring, until starting to wilt, about 2 minutes. Add rinsed beans and ½ cup broth; cook, stirring gently, until heated through and the spinach is wilted, about 2 minutes.
Step 4: Finish with Cream & Cheese. Remove from heat; stir in ½ cup cream and ⅓ cup Parmesan. Sprinkle evenly with the remaining 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons Parmesan. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon basil. Serve with crusty bread, if desired.
