Knee & Hip Pain Relief in Limerick & Charleville
Do You Struggle With Knee or Hip Pain?
At Don Kelly Physiotherapy & Acupuncture, we’ve been helping patients overcome knee and hip pain for over 26 years, treating thousands of people in Limerick and Charleville.
Whether your pain is new or long-standing, our proven approach combines expert physiotherapy, acupuncture, dry needling, custom orthotics, and tailored exercise programs to get you moving again without unnecessary surgery.
Does it flare up when walking, climbing stairs, or playing sports?
Does it disturb your sleep at night?
Do you feel stiffness when standing up from a chair or after long periods of sitting?
Do you notice pain spreading to your ankle, lower back, or even your shoulders
Why Your Feet Matter More Than You Think
The feet are the foundation of the body, built on three arches known as the plantar vault.
When these arches collapse (flat feet) or are too rigid (high arches), the knees and hips are forced into unnatural positions. Over time, this creates excessive stress on ligaments, tendons, and cartilage—eventually leading to pain, inflammation, and in many cases degenerative changes like osteoarthritis.
Common Conditions Linked to Knee & Hip Pain
From my clinical experience and research, the following conditions are frequently associated with poor foot mechanics and misalignment:
Pain at the front of the knee due to mis-tracking of the kneecap.
Outer knee and hip pain from excessive strain on the IT band.
Wear-and-tear or injury aggravated by abnormal rotation in the knees.
Inflammation around the hip joint, often due to uneven weight distribution.
Progressive “wear and tear” often accelerated by foot instability.
Starting in the feet but contributing to altered gait mechanics.
Misalignment in the hips and knees eventually stresses the spine.
Repeated overload from poor biomechanics.
Anatomy of Knee Pain
The knee joint is one of the most complex and powerful joints in the body. It allows you to walk, run, squat, and jump, but it is also highly vulnerable to injury and degeneration. Understanding its anatomy helps explain why knee pain is so common.
1. Bones
Femur (thigh bone): The upper bone of the knee joint.
Tibia (shin bone): The main weight-bearing bone of the lower leg.
Patella (kneecap): A small bone that protects the joint and improves the leverage of thigh muscles.
2. Cartilage
Articular Cartilage: A smooth, slippery tissue covering the ends of bones, allowing them to glide without friction.
Meniscus (medial and lateral): Two C-shaped pieces of cartilage that act as shock absorbers and stabilizers.
3. Ligaments
ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament): Prevents the shin bone from sliding forward.
PCL (Posterior Cruciate Ligament): Prevents the shin bone from sliding backward.
MCL (Medial Collateral Ligament): Stabilizes the inside of the knee.
LCL (Lateral Collateral Ligament): Stabilizes the outside of the knee.
4. Muscles & Tendons
Quadriceps tendon: Connects the quadriceps muscle to the kneecap.
Patellar tendon: Connects the kneecap to the tibia.
Hamstrings & calf muscles: Provide support and assist movement.
5. Bursa
Small fluid-filled sacs that reduce friction between bones, tendons, and skin. When inflamed, they cause bursitis.
Don Kelly Physiotherapist Knee and Hip Pain Specialist
At Don Kelly Physiotherapy and Acupuncture, we don’t just treat the symptoms — we address the root cause of your knee and hip pain.
With over 26 years of experience and thousands of patients treated in Limerick and Charleville, we focus on restoring proper alignment and movement to prevent long-term damage and reduce the risk of surgery.
Proven Results From Thousands of Patients
Having worked with thousands of patients over decades of practice, I’ve observed a clear pattern:
Nearly every patient who presented with long-term knee or hip pain showed signs of flat feet, fallen arches, or foot misalignment.
Many who had undergone knee or hip replacement surgery still displayed significant foot deformities that contributed to their problems in the first place.
Patients who adopted the right treatment plan—including custom orthotics, targeted physiotherapy, and corrective exercises—not only reduced their pain but often avoided the need for surgery altogether.
Comprehensive Assessment
Every treatment begins with a detailed clinical assessment and gait analysis. By examining your posture, walking pattern, and biomechanics, we identify underlying issues such as flat feet, fallen arches, muscle imbalances, or poor joint mechanics that contribute to your pain.
Physiotherapy
Dry Needling
Gait Analysis & Custom Orthotics
Acupuncture
Frequently Asked Questions About Knee Pain & Injury
Knee pain can come from a variety of sources — arthritis, ligament injuries, meniscus tears, muscle imbalances, or even problems with your feet such as flat arches. In my 26 years of practice, I’ve seen that many knee problems actually begin with poor foot mechanics, which create stress up through the ankle, knee, and hip joints.
Not at all. In fact, many of my patients in Limerick and Charleville were advised to consider surgery, but with proper assessment, physiotherapy, dry needling, acupuncture, and the use of custom orthotics, we were able to reduce their pain and restore function — without surgery. My goal is always to help patients avoid invasive procedures whenever possible.
I use a comprehensive approach:
Detailed assessment and gait analysis to find the root cause.
Physiotherapy for strengthening and mobility.
Dry needling and acupuncture to reduce pain and inflammation.
Custom orthotics to correct foot imbalances and take pressure off the knees.
Home exercise programs so patients can maintain progress long term.
This combined approach has helped thousands of patients recover and return to an active lifestyle.
Yes. The body is a kinetic chain — when the feet or knees are misaligned, it often leads to hip, pelvic, or even back pain. That’s why I don’t just look at the knee in isolation; I assess the entire body to ensure proper alignment and balance.
Many patients report improvements within just a few sessions. However, lasting results depend on consistency with physiotherapy, corrective exercises, and (if needed) orthotic support. My goal is always long-term relief, not just short-term fixes.
Yes. I work with a range of private health insurers in Ireland, and many of my patients are able to claim back part of the cost of their treatments, including physiotherapy and acupuncture. I can provide receipts and documentation to make your claims process easier.
I treat patients in two convenient locations:
Limerick Clinic – 8 The Stables, Huntsfield, Dooradoyle, Co. Limerick (V94 A5X6)
Charleville Clinic – Main Street, Charleville, Co. Cork
Both clinics are easily accessible, and I regularly see patients from across Limerick, Charleville, and surrounding areas.
Find us in Limerick or Visit our Charleville clinic
Our Limerick clinic is conveniently located in Dooradoyle, just minutes from University Hospital Limerick. At this location, we provide expert physiotherapy, acupuncture, dry needling, gait analysis, and custom orthotics.
With over 26 years of experience and thousands of patients treated, Don Kelly offers a proven, results-driven approach to help you recover from knee pain, hip pain, sports injuries, and chronic conditions.
📍 Address: 8 The Stables, Huntsfield, Dooradoyle, Limerick, V94 A5X6
📞 Phone: +353 86 323 9194
🕒 Opening Hours: By appointment
For patients in North Cork and the surrounding areas, our Charleville clinic provides the same high-quality care and comprehensive treatments that Don Kelly is known for. Whether you’re struggling with back pain, sciatica, or recovering from an injury, you’ll receive personalised treatment designed to get you moving again.
📍 Address: Main Street, Charleville, Co. Cork
📞 Phone: +353 86 323 9194
🕒 Opening Hours: By appointment
