If you—or someone you know—has had a knee or hip replacement and still struggles with pain, stiffness, or weakness, you're not alone. Many people go through surgery expecting to feel brand new, only to realize that something still isn’t quite right.
That’s because arthritis isn’t the real problem—it’s a symptom.
Let’s break down what’s really happening, why replacements don’t always “fix” the issue, and what you can do to feel and move better long-term.
Why Does Arthritis Happen in the First Place?
Arthritis is often blamed for joint pain, but it’s really the result of years of movement imbalances, muscle weakness, or poor mechanics.
Think of your joints like the tires on your car. If your car is out of alignment, the tires wear down unevenly. The same thing happens in your body—if your movement is off, certain areas take more stress than they should.
Common Movement Issues That Lead to Arthritis:
Weak Hips or Core → More stress on the knees and low back
Poor Ankle Mobility → Changes how the knees absorb force
Compensations After an Old Injury → Shifts pressure to different joints
Muscle Imbalances → Some muscles work too hard while others don’t do enough
Over time, this extra wear and tear breaks down cartilage, leading to pain and stiffness.
Why Joint Replacements Don’t Always Solve the Problem
Surgery replaces the damaged joint, but it doesn’t fix the movement problems that caused the damage in the first place.
That’s why so many people still feel tight, weak, or unstable after a knee or hip replacement. The muscles, nerves, and movement patterns need to be retrained—otherwise, the same problems can continue, even with a brand-new joint.
Have You Noticed This After Surgery?
- Pain in the same area (or even a new area)
- Feeling weak or unstable when walking, squatting, or using stairs
- Tightness in surrounding muscles that won’t go away
- Compensating on the other side to avoid discomfort
If you’ve experienced any of these, it’s likely that your body still needs help learning how to move better—even after surgery.
What Can You Do to Fix It?
The key to long-term relief isn’t just replacing a joint—it’s fixing how your body moves as a whole.
3 Steps to Regain Strength & Mobility
1 Find the Root Cause
- Test hip, knee, and ankle mobility to see where restrictions are.
- Identify weak muscles that need strengthening.
2 Retrain Your Movement Patterns
- Learn to engage the right muscles when walking, squatting, or standing.
- Improve stability and balance to take pressure off the joints.
3 Build Strength & Control
- Strengthen the hips, core, and ankles to reduce strain on the knee or hip.
- Focus on pain-free movement that helps retrain the brain and muscles.
Want to Get to the Root of the Issue?
At Connect Rehab Chiropractic & Performance, we don’t just chase symptoms—we help you understand why the pain started and how to regain your freedom and movement, whether you've had a replacement or want to avoid one altogether.
Book a FREE 15-minute call and let’s find out what’s really going on with your movement!
Click here to schedule your call now!
We’re always happy to help—whether you want advice, answers, or just a cool conversation about movement and pain relief!
Dr. Aaron Gootzeit, DC, MS, CSCS
Connect Rehab Chiropractic & Performance
Aaron Gootzeit
Contact Me
