Because we take our hips everywhere, it is easy to take them for granted. We use our hips whenever we walk the dog or weed the garden. They help us twist and turn, squat, and climb stairs. Many of us don’t realize how much we need our hips until pain or stiffness makes it hard to get around. If severe symptoms interfere with your ability to work, play, or even sleep, it may be time to see an orthopedic specialist.

Hip Problems We Treat

The hip is one of the largest weight-bearing joints in the body. It connects the top of the femur (thigh bone) to the pelvis. Tissues called ligaments, tendons, and cartilage protect the hip and keep it stable. If something harms any part of this joint, you may develop pain or lose mobility.

Our orthopedic physicians and surgeons treat many medical conditions and injuries that affect the hips. These include:

  • Bursitis. Our team treats inflammation of the bursae (small, fluid-filled sacs that help cushion your joints). Bursitis commonly affects the hips.
  • Cartilage problems. We treat cartilage issues caused by injuries, such as hip labral tears and cartilage deterioration related to aging or joint wear-and-tear.
  • Fractures and dislocations. We offer expert care for hips that are fractured (broken) or dislocated (one of the bones that makes up the joint pops out of place).
  • Hip impingement. Our specialists diagnose and treat problems that cause hip impingement. This occurs when the bones that make up the hip joint do not fit together properly.
  • Medical conditions. We will help you manage medical conditions that can take a toll on the hips. These include arthritis, osteoporosis, and osteonecrosis.
  • Tendon problems. We care for conditions caused by tendon inflammation or tears. These include hip flexor tendonitis and snapping hip syndrome.

Comprehensive, Well-coordinated Care 

Our orthopedic specialists work closely with other providers. We will make sure you receive a precise diagnosis and prompt treatment — so you have a positive experience. 

First, we’ll find the source of your hip pain. You may need a physical exam and imaging tests. You may also need lab tests to confirm or rule out medical conditions like arthritis.

Next, we’ll recommend treatments suited to your age, lifestyle, goals, and overall health. Your personalized treatment plan may include care from providers who specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation, physiatry, rheumatology, or sports medicine. Together, we’ll help you get over your pain and get back on your feet.

Nonsurgical Hip Treatments If your pain is tolerable — or you need temporary care for a mild injury — lifestyle changes and other conservative therapies may provide relief. Depending on the type and severity of your symptoms, your doctor may recommend one or more of the following treatments:

  • Weight loss. Shedding extra weight takes pressure off your hip joint.
  • Modified exercise. If running or other high-impact activities hurt your hips, try lower-impact options like swimming.
  • Orthopedic rehabilitation. Physical therapists teach exercises to strengthen hip muscles or improve flexibility and range of motion. They may also offer therapies such as muscle massage, heat packs, or cold compresses.
  • Medical devices. Equipment such as shoe inserts, braces, or canes can help align your hip or provide stability after an injury.
  • Medicine. Prescription and over-the-counter medicines help control pain and inflammation. These include dietary supplements (such as chondroitin and glucosamine), cortisone injections (steroid shots), and joint lubricant injections (viscosupplementation).
  • Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. We use a special machine that spins a small amount of your blood to separate platelets (tiny cells that promote clotting and healing) from red blood cells. The platelet-rich solution is injected back into the part of your hip affected by tendonitis or arthritis.

Hip Surgery

If your hip problems get worse despite conservative treatments, and you have pain even at rest, your doctor may recommend surgery. For some people, orthopedic surgery offers the best chance to relieve pain and return you to your normal activities.

We offer a wide range of hip surgery options, including minimally invasive procedures that can have you on your feet faster and with fewer complications. We even offer same-day (outpatient) hip replacement surgery to eligible patients.
Our surgical areas of expertise include:

  • Arthroscopy. A minimally invasive method of removing loose cartilage or bone spurs or repairing torn tissues. Procedures include arthroscopic labral tear surgery and hip impingement surgery.
  • Cartilage transplantation. Also known as osteochondral allograft transplantation, this procedure replaces missing or damaged hip cartilage with a piece of healthy bone and cartilage from a tissue donor.
  • Hip replacement. Removes the damaged parts of the hip joint and replaces them with metal or plastic parts. In addition to offering minimally invasive and muscle-sparing total hip replacement, we also offer hip resurfacing for patients who are younger, active, and still have good bone quality.
  • Labral tear surgery. We use a minimally invasive approach to remove the damaged area of the hip joint (labrum) or repair the tear.
  • Orthopedic trauma surgery. Repositions, repairs, or stabilizes the hip bones after a fracture or dislocation.