Hip Preservation

Struggling with hip pain? Having difficulty stretching out your hip flexor? Experiencing groin or buttocks pain after sitting for long periods of time? Suffering from pain or stiffness with exercise or activity? Can pushing on the area produce pain, or does it feel deeper down in the joint? 

The causes of hip pain in active people can come from the muscles and tendons around the hip or from damage to the cartilage in the joint and hip socket, such as the labrum. Breaking or fracturing of the bones that form the hip joint can also occur over time, and tissue inflammation is common. Here is a list of common causes of pain, tightness, or weakness in or around the hip. 

Woman jogger with hip pain

Inside the hip joint

  • Femoral acetabular impingement (FAI)
    • Labral tears
    • Cartilage injury
  • Loose bodies
  • Hip dysplasia

Injuries around the hip joint

  • Hamstring tendon injuries
    • Strain
    • Tendon rupture
  • Snapping hip
    • External snapping hip
    • Internal snapping hip
  • Gluteus medius tendon injuries
    • Tendonitis
    • Tear
  • Iliotibial band syndrome
  • Bursitis
  • Stress fractures
    • Femoral neck
    • Pubic rami

Hip pain can be a complex problem to diagnose and treat correctly. Back pain, nerve entrapment, and even a woman’s monthly cycle can mask hip pain or present as a hip problem when the area around the joint is not the real source. Seeing an orthopedic surgeon that specializes in treating hip injuries provides an invaluable resource and is the first step in reducing your pain to get back to running, soccer, yoga, or just daily activities, like riding in the car. 

Most hip conditions and injuries are initially treated with rest, physical therapy, ice, anti-inflammatories, and injections for pain relief. If these conservative treatment options do not improve symptoms, then surgery is the next step in treatment. In this case, hip arthroscopy is often the best option for active people whose conditions have not advanced to end-stage arthritis. Hip arthroscopy can preserve the healthy tissues and structures in the joint and help reduce the development of more damage.

Hip Arthroscopy

Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive, tissue-preserving surgery that uses a specialized camera and small instruments. Arthroscopic treatment requires specialized training and expertise. Because of the nature of hip conditions like hip impingement and other underdiagnosed sources of hip pain for younger, active patients, only a skillful, experienced surgeon can perform hip arthroscopy. This surgical treatment can also help older, less active patients who have wear-and-tear damage that doesn't require hip replacement surgery. 

During hip arthroscopy, these special tools are inserted through 2 to 3 small poke-hole incisions. The main surgery performed is for hip impingement/FAI, to repair labral tears and cartilage lesions or remove bony impingement from inside the hip. The goal of performing this type of surgery is to restore the function of the hip joint and help to slow the development of hip arthritis. 

Gluteus medius and iliopsoas tendon repairs and releases can also be performed using this minimally invasive technique. 

Recovery is dependent on the patient, the injury, and the surgery performed. Walking can begin immediately after the operation, usually with crutches and specialized bracing. Running can start at 8 to 12 weeks following your surgery. You can begin competitive sports usually after 4 to 6 months, if not longer. Most patients achieve recovery at one year postoperatively. 

Aspen Orthopedic Specialists Delivers Excellence Every Step of the Way

Fellowship-trained sports medicine surgeon Dr. Justin Peterson specializes in joint preservation and has advanced expertise in arthroscopic joint procedures, including hip arthroscopy. Our hip team also includes Dr. Jeffrey Larson and Dr. Jonathon Printz, who have years of training and experience in the surgical and nonsurgical care of the hip. Together, our hip doctors offer the latest hip joint procedures, including total hip replacement and anterior hip replacement for osteoarthritis. Whatever option is right for you, our specialists have the expertise to develop the treatment plan you need and help you return to living the life you love.

Schedule an in-office appointment with one of our specialists at our Brookfield, New Berlin, or Oak Creek locations by calling (262) 395-4141 or by requesting an appointment online.