Hip Pain

Direct answers — no jargon.

If your question isn’t here, ask us at your consultation.

• What is the difference between hip joint pain and bursitis?
  Hip joint pain is typically felt in the groin, worse with weight-bearing and rotation. Lateral hip pain (over the bony prominence) is more often gluteal tendinopathy or trochanteric bursitis — different anatomy, different treatment.
• Is hip osteoarthritis treatable without surgery?
  Mild-to-moderate hip OA often responds to a combination of activity modification, image-guided injections, and PRP. Severe end-stage OA usually does require eventual hip replacement, but we can often delay that for years.
• What about PRP for hip pain?
  PRP works best for hip tendinopathy (gluteal tendon, iliopsoas) and select cases of mild-to-moderate hip OA. We will tell you honestly when the evidence supports PRP for your specific case.
• Could my hip pain be coming from my back?
  Yes — referred pain from the lumbar spine and SI joint is one of the most common causes of "hip pain" we see. The pattern, exam findings, and a diagnostic injection help differentiate.
• Should I see an orthopedic surgeon or a pain specialist first?
  If you have not been to either, a pain specialist can usually figure out the source and either treat it or appropriately refer to orthopedics. We work closely with a small group of trusted hip surgeons.
• Will a steroid injection delay hip replacement if I need one?
  Recent literature has raised concerns about timing of pre-operative steroid injections and infection risk after hip replacement. We discuss timing carefully with you and your surgeon.
• What if my hip pain is from my SI joint?
  SI joint pain often presents as buttock or upper lateral hip pain. We diagnose it with provocative testing and a diagnostic SI injection. If confirmed, treatment options range from RFA to SI joint fusion, depending on severity.