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Knee and hip problems do not always begin with severe pain. Sometimes the first signs show up in small changes you make throughout the day, such as avoiding stairs, taking more breaks or skipping activities you once enjoyed. 

Because these changes often happen gradually, you may not realize how much your joint pain or stiffness is affecting your routine. Here are five signs to watch for.  

1. You plan your day around discomfort.

Before leaving home, do you think about where you will park, how far you will have to walk or whether there will be somewhere to sit? 

When knee or hip discomfort begins shaping your plans, it may be affecting you more than you realize. Activities that once required little thought may now take extra planning.

2. You avoid stairs whenever possible.

Taking the elevator from time to time is normal. But if you regularly avoid stairs because they hurt of feel difficult, it may be a sign that your joint is limiting your movement. 

Stairs place more pressure on the knees and hips than walking on a flat surface, which is why they are often one of the first daily activities to become uncomfortable. 

3. You need more breaks during routine activities.

Have shopping trips, household chores, gardening or errands become harder to finish without sitting down?

Needing more frequent breaks than you used to may mean your joints are not moving as comfortably or supporting your activity as well as they once did. 

4. Pain or stiffness is disrupting sleep.

Knee or hip discomfort can continue even after you go to bed. Aching, stiffness or difficulty finding a comfortable position may wake you during the night or make it harder to fall asleep. 

Poor sleep can also make you tired the next day, making it more difficult to stay active. 

5. You’ve stopped doing activities you once enjoyed.

Maybe you no longer take walks, exercise, attend events or participate in a favorite hobby. You may not have made a conscious decision to stop. You simply started doing those things less often because they became uncomfortable.

“One of the most important questions we ask patients is what have they stopped doing because of their symptoms,” said Frank Buttacavoli, MD, an orthopaedic surgeon at UT Health San Antonio. “That can tell us more about how a joint condition is affecting their life than a pain score alone.”

Pain is not the only sign that something may be wrong. How well you can move, complete everyday tasks and participate in activities you enjoy can be just as important. 

People often adjust to joint discomfort little by little. Over time, those adjustments can begin to feel normal. An orthopaedic evaluation can help identify what is causing your symptoms and whether treatment could improve mobility and comfort.

The goal is not simply to reduce pain. It is to help people maintain the activities, relationships and routines that contribute to a healthy and fulfilling life. If these signs sound familiar, consider talking with an orthopaedic specialist about the latest non-surgical and surgical options for you knee and hip symptoms.

To request an appointment, call 210-450-9300. To learn more about our services and orthopaedic team, visit uthealthcare.org/ortho.