Hip injuries and conditions

Your hips don’t have to hurt. Hip issues can be debilitating whether they’re caused by an injury, the degenerative effects of arthritis or a lifetime of wear and tear.

If you’re experiencing hip problems, the orthopedic surgeons at HonorHealth can help. They’ll spend time getting to know you and understand your hip issues before creating a personalized treatment plan to eliminate your pain and get you moving again. 

Common reasons people turn to orthopedic hip surgeons for care

Hip pain

It often presents as pain around the groin area, but can also be noticed in the back, knee or leg. Hip pain is a leading indicator of arthritis, especially among individuals 50 and older.

Stiffness/loss of mobility

It may present as hip pain, difficulty walking or performing simple tasks like bending over to put on shoes and socks.

Hip snapping or popping

It can present as a sound or sensation during movement and usually is an indication that the tendons around the hip joint are catching on the bone. This is most common among individuals 30-50 years old.

Fracture or dislocation

It results from a fall or other traumatic injury. Hip fractures are particularly common among older adults whose bones have been weakened by osteoporosis.

Your orthopedic hip doctor will:

• Evaluate your condition
• Discuss your treatment goals
• Conduct a risk assessment to determine if surgery presents too great a risk
• Explain the different options available to you. Your treatment plan probably will begin with non-surgical hip therapies or techniques. If your pain and other problems persist, then it may be time to consider hip arthroscopy or hip replacement surgery, depending on the cause of your hip issues.

How the hip works

One of the largest joints in the body, the hip is a weight-bearing ball-and-socket joint. The ball-shaped top of your thighbone (femur) moves within a hollow, cup-like socket in your pelvis. It’s held in place and moves smoothly with the help of surrounding muscles, ligaments, tendons and cartilage.

When those support structures are damaged in some way, hip movement can be affected. That’s when pain, instability, weakness and loss of function develop. 

Causes of hip pain

Acute and chronic hip pain and other issues can be tied to factors and activities like falling, running, playing sports, arthritis and general wear and tear.

Orthopedic surgeons at HonorHealth treat all types of hip injuries and conditions, including those related to:

• Arthritis
• Osteoporosis (when bones become brittle and fragile due to hormone changes or deficiencies in calcium or Vitamin D)
• Bursitis (inflammation around the joint)
• Tendonitis (inflammation of the tendons)
• Fractures or dislocations
• Strains

Arthritis is a gradual deterioration of the cartilage inside the hip joint and is one of the most common reasons patients undergo total hip replacement surgery.