FAQs

HIP CONDITIONS

Why Does My Hip Hurt If I Don't Have Arthritis?

What Causes Hip Pain Besides Arthritis?

Can Hip Pain Be Treated Without a Hip Replacement?

Do All Hip Problems Require Surgery?

How Do Doctors Figure Out What's Causing Hip Pain?

Not all hip pain is caused by arthritis. Many patients experiencing hip pain may be candidates for hip preservation procedures rather than hip replacement surgery.

Early diagnosis is important. Structural conditions such as femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and labral tears can often be treated before significant joint damage develops. Identifying these issues early may help preserve the natural hip joint and maintain long-term function.

Surgery is not the right treatment for every patient. The best treatment plan begins with an accurate diagnosis and an individualized approach based on each patient's symptoms, activity level, and goals.

It's also important to determine whether the pain originates from the hip joint itself, surrounding soft tissues, or abnormal movement mechanics, as this distinction often guides treatment recommendations.

Am I a Candidate for Hip Preservation Surgery?

Can Hip Pain Be Treated Without a Hip Replacement?

What Conditions Can Hip Preservation Treat?

Can Active Adults Avoid Hip Replacement Surgery?

What's the Difference Between Hip Preservation and Hip Replacement?

How Do I Know If My Hip Pain Is From Structural Damage?

Patients who benefit most from hip preservation are those who have structural problems causing pain but have not yet developed advanced arthritis.

Common conditions treated with hip preservation include femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), labral tears, hip dysplasia, and cartilage injuries. These patients are often adolescents, young adults, or active middle-aged adults who want to remain active, continue working, or participate in sports without progressing to advanced joint damage.

The goal of hip preservation is to address the underlying problem while maintaining the patient's natural hip joint whenever possible.

Can Physical Therapy Help Hip Pain?

Do I Need Physical Therapy For Hip Preservation?

Is Physical Therapy Important Before Hip Surgery?

Does Physical Therapy Improve Recovery After Hip Surgery?

What Is Prehabilitation Before Hip Surgery?

How Does Physical Therapy Help Hip Preservation?

Physical therapy is a cornerstone of hip preservation treatment, both before and after surgery.

It can help reduce pain, improve strength, increase mobility, and correct movement patterns that may be contributing to symptoms. Even when surgery is necessary, prehabilitation can improve surgical outcomes and may help speed recovery.

Successful treatment often combines expert surgical care with a structured rehabilitation program designed to restore function and optimize long-term results.

Can Hip Preservation Prevent Hip Replacement?

When Is It Too Late For Hip Preservation?

Can Hip Preservation Delay Arthritis?

Is Hip Preservation Better Before Arthritis Develops?

What Is The Goal Of Hip Preservation Surgery?

How Do I Know If I'm A Good Candidate For Hip Preservation?

In the short term, hip preservation aims to reduce pain, improve motion, restore function, and help patients return to the activities they enjoy.

Long-term goals focus on correcting the underlying mechanical problem before it causes additional cartilage damage and arthritis. In appropriately selected patients, hip preservation may help protect the joint and delay the need for hip replacement surgery.

However, it is important to understand that hip preservation is most effective before severe arthritis develops.

What Is A Knotless Labral Repair?

How Is A Hip Labral Tear Repaired?

Do I Need Surgery For A Hip Labral Tear?

What Are The Symptoms Of A Hip Labral Tear?

Why Does My Hip Click Or Feel Unstable?

What's The Difference Between Knotless Labral Repair And Traditional Repair?

The labrum is a ring of cartilage that helps stabilize the hip joint and creates a suction seal that supports normal hip function.

When the labrum becomes torn, patients may experience hip pain, clicking sensations, catching, or feelings of instability. During surgery, the goal is to restore the labrum to its normal position along the edge of the hip socket.

Knotless labral repair uses specialized anchor technology that secures the labrum without requiring bulky knots. This creates a smoother repair, may reduce irritation within the joint, and allows for more precise restoration of the labrum's natural anatomy.

The ultimate goals are to restore stability, improve function, relieve pain, and help patients return to the activities they enjoy.

SHOULDER CONDITIONS

Why Does My Shoulder Feel Like It's Slipping Out Of Place?

What Does Shoulder Instability Feel Like?

How Do I Know If My Shoulder Is Unstable?

Why Does My Shoulder Feel Like It Pops Out?

What's The Difference Between A Shoulder Dislocation And Subluxation?

Shoulder instability occurs when the ball of the shoulder does not remain securely centered within the socket.

Patients often describe the sensation as slipping, shifting, or feeling like the shoulder is popping out of place. Some individuals experience full dislocations, while others experience partial instability known as subluxation.

Symptoms may include pain, weakness, loss of confidence in the shoulder, and difficulty with overhead activities or contact sports.

What Causes Shoulder Instability?

Why Does My Shoulder Keep Dislocating?

Can A Fall Or Injury Cause Shoulder Instability?

Can Repeated Shoulder Dislocations Make Things Worse?

Why Does My Shoulder Keep Slipping Out Of Place?

Can Shoulder Instability Develop Over Time?

Trauma is one of the most common causes of shoulder instability. Falls, collisions, and other injuries can cause a shoulder dislocation and damage structures such as the labrum or shoulder capsule.

In some patients, instability develops gradually due to repetitive overhead activities, generalized joint laxity, or muscle imbalances.

Repeated dislocations can lead to bone loss and additional damage, making the condition more difficult to treat over time. Early evaluation and treatment can help prevent further complications.

What Type Of Shoulder Instability Do I Have?

How Do Doctors Decide The Best Treatment For Shoulder Instability?

What Is The Recovery Time After Shoulder Instability Surgery?

Will My Shoulder Instability Come Back After Treatment?

What Does Rehab Look Like After Shoulder Instability Surgery?

How Do I Know If I Need Surgery For Shoulder Instability?

Patients should understand what type of instability they have, whether bone loss is present, and which treatment options best align with their activity level and goals.

It is also important to discuss expected recovery timelines, the likelihood of recurrence, and what rehabilitation will involve after treatment. Clear expectations help patients make informed decisions and stay actively engaged throughout recovery.

When Do You Need Surgery For Shoulder Instability?

Do I Need Surgery After A First-Time Shoulder Dislocation?

Why Does My Shoulder Keep Dislocating After Rehab?

Can Shoulder Instability Heal Without Surgery?

Why Do Athletes Get Shoulder Stabilization Surgery?

How Do Doctors Decide If I Need Shoulder Surgery?

Surgery may be recommended for patients with recurrent instability, failure of non-surgical treatment, or significant structural damage such as labral tears or bone loss.

Treatment recommendations are individualized based on a patient's age, activity level, goals, and risk of future instability. For example, young contact athletes who experience a first-time dislocation may consider surgical stabilization to reduce the likelihood of future dislocations and prevent additional damage to the shoulder.

SPORTS MEDICINE

Do I Need A Sports Medicine Specialist If I'm Not A Professional Athlete?

Can Regular People Benefit From Treatment Used For Elite Athletes?

Can A Sports Medicine Doctor Help Recreational Athletes?

Should Youth Athletes See A Sports Medicine Specialist?

How Do Doctors Decide When An Athlete Can Return To Play?

How Is Treatment Customized For Different Sports?

Experience treating elite athletes helps physicians develop advanced pattern recognition, movement analysis, and sport-specific treatment strategies.

These same principles can benefit recreational athletes, active adults, and youth athletes. Treatment plans are customized based on the individual's sport, position, goals, and physical demands.

Whether someone competes professionally or simply wants to stay active, sports medicine principles can help optimize recovery, improve performance, and support a safe return to activity.

When Does An Injury Need Surgery Instead Of Physical Therapy?

How Long Should I Try Physical Therapy Before Considering Surgery?

Why Isn't My Sports Injury Getting Better With Rehab?

Can Non-Surgical Treatment Work For Sports Injuries?

When Should An Athlete See An Orthopedic Surgeon?

What If Rehab Isn't Helping My Pain?

Many sports injuries respond well to rehabilitation, activity modification, and proper load management. However, some conditions involve structural problems that may not fully improve with conservative treatment alone.

Non-surgical treatment is most effective when it addresses the true source of symptoms and when training habits and movement mechanics are optimized.

If symptoms continue despite appropriate treatment, particularly after several months of rehabilitation, consultation with an orthopedic sports medicine specialist may be appropriate to discuss additional treatment options.