They can help you find the cause of your injury by examining your gait and the way your body moves biomechanically. Knee injuries are most commonly treated by orthopedic surgeons, although you can also see osteopaths, physiatrists or podiatrists. They treat injuries to the musculoskeletal system, including bones, joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons. Knee injuries often stem from biomechanical problems, and podiatrists frequently correct the problem with orthotics or other treatments. If it's a chronic, nagging runner's knee, the orthopedist will evaluate it initially and may recommend follow-up with a podiatrist.
Referrals often work the other way around, too.
Thigh and hip. These injuries are seen by osteopaths, physiatrists, chiropractors or orthopedists. Osteopaths train at a college of osteopathic medicine and, like medical doctors, they're licensed to practice all branches of medicine and surgery. The difference lies in their philosophy, which stresses a scientifically based, holistic approach to treatment. Whereas M.D.s often take a disease-oriented approach to looking at problems, osteopaths concentrate more on your anatomy, physiology and biomechanics.