Specialties - Hip

Hip Arthroscopy

What is hip arthroscopy?

Hip arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that can repair damages or injury to the hip joint through the use of tiny incisions and camera guidance. This procedure is preferred over traditional open hip surgery because of its safer techniques and shorter recovery time.

When is this procedure used?

Hip arthroscopy can be used to treat a wide range of hip conditions, including:

This procedure can often be used to postpone or eliminate the need for hip replacement surgery, and is most commonly performed in younger patients.

Hip Replacement

What is hip replacement?

Hip replacement is a surgical procedure that removes a painful, damaged hip joint and replaces it with an artificial prosthetic to relieve symptoms and restore movement to the joint.

When is this procedure used?

Hip replacement may be used to treat arthritis and other degenerative conditions after nonsurgical treatments have failed. As these conditions progress, the cartilage covering the joint continues to wear away, causing symptoms to worsen so that the bone ends eventually rub together. This may cause severe pain, stiffness and a loss of motion for patients. Hip replacement is considered a final solution for patients who have been unsuccessful when using other forms of treatment.

What happens during the procedure?

There are several different options available for performing this procedure. Your doctor will decide which option is best for you depending on your age, overall health, and the severity of your condition. Many hip replacement procedures can be performed through a few small incisions to help minimize scarring and shorten the recovery time after surgery.

During hip replacement surgery, you will receive anesthesia to help minimize discomfort before removing the damaged cartilage and bone from the joint. The artificial replacement, made from metal, plastic or ceramic, is then positioned into the joint to help restore movement. The hip joint consists of a ball and socket, which are both replaced and then cemented into the joint.

Click Here to view an animated overview of the procedure

For additional information visit: AAOS Online Service Fact Sheet - Total Hip Replacement

Hip Injections

What are hip injections?

Hip injections are a fast, temporary treatment for chronic hip pain commonly used by patients who are seeking immediate relief and do not want to undergo surgery. These time-released injections contain cortisone along with an anesthetic numbing agent to minimize patient discomfort and relieve pain and inflammation. Success has also been reported for Hyalgan (Synvisc) injections in the hip. This is an injection of a lubricant that can provide symptom relief in up to 80% of patients for up to 2 years.

Who can benefit from hip injections?

Hip injections can be beneficial for patients suffering from pain and stiffness throughout the hips, legs, buttocks and lower back as a result of arthritis, bursitis, injury or other painful conditions.

These injections can be repeated as needed, as they provide temporary relief and are often used to postpone hip replacement surgery. Hip injections can also be used to diagnose the source of hip pain, as the relief of pain from these injections may indicate that the hip is the source of the pain.