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Knees get a bad rap. So often, they are the painful joints that stop you from running, skiing, or even hiking. An x-ray may or may not reveal some damage to the joint, but even without documented degeneration, knee pain can stop you in your tracks.
 Here's one example of a knee problem that really isn't a knee problem at all. My sister had an ACL repair of her right knee. After rehab, her knee was strong and stable, but she was troubled by pain on the inside of her right knee that prevented her from running. During a quick visit, I watched her walk and noticed that her right hip dropped down as she stood on the left leg. It's called a positive Trendelenberg sign. Left hip weakness caused her right knee to be strained on the inside with each step.
It's a simple fix.
Sandwiched between the hip and the ankle, the knee frequently reacts to joint dysfunction above or below it. Over and over again, we see stiff ankles, weak hips, or a weak core as the culprit in knee pain. Finding the imbalances early and treating the causes of the problem can help you avoid surgery and keep you running and skiing for years. Not sure if a weak hip is your problem? You can test yourself by performing this movement.  | | Hip Hike Fault Showing Gluteus Medius Weakness |
If your hip drops as you step up, then work on hip strength using the exercise in the next video.  | | Gluteus Medius Hip Hike |
And, if a hip drop is not your problem but knee pain is, make an appointment and discover how to make it better. | 
