Around 3.7% of Americans experience hip pain, making even simple movements like walking upstairs or getting out of bed feel like a struggle. For many affected people, the idea of needing a hip replacement looms large, but the good news is that surgery isn’t always inevitable.
At the orthopaedic practice of Kevin Park, MD, our team specializes in identifying when hip preservation treatments can relieve pain, restore mobility, and help you keep your natural joint for as long as possible.
Your hip is a ball-and-socket joint, made up of the femoral head (the ball) and the acetabulum (the socket). Both are covered with smooth cartilage that allows easy, pain-free movement.
Over time, injury, wear-and-tear, and arthritic conditions can cause the cartilage to thin or break down. When this happens, the bones rub together, causing stiffness, swelling, and pain that gradually worsens.
Hip replacement surgery replaces the damaged joint surfaces with artificial components. While this procedure can dramatically improve quality of life, it’s not always the first or best option, especially for younger or more active patients who still have healthy bone and cartilage to preserve.
Hip preservation focuses on treating the underlying cause of pain and damage before it becomes severe enough to require replacement.
Dr. Park evaluates several factors before recommending surgery, including your age, activity level, joint condition, and how much cartilage remains.
You may be a candidate for hip preservation if:
FAI occurs when extra bone growth on the femoral head or socket causes the bones to rub abnormally. Left untreated, it can lead to arthritis. Hip preservation surgery can reshape the joint to prevent further damage and relieve pain.
Common hip preservation treatments include:
Early hip pain doesn’t always require surgery. Physical therapy helps strengthen the muscles around the joint, improve flexibility, and reduce strain on the hip. Weight management and low-impact exercise (like swimming or cycling) can also lessen stress on the joint.
Anti-inflammatory medications or corticosteroid injections reduce pain and inflammation.
Minimally invasive hip arthroscopy allows Dr. Park to view and treat damage inside the joint without a large incision. During this procedure, he can remove bone spurs, repair torn cartilage, or smooth rough surfaces that cause friction and pain. Arthroscopy often works well for younger patients with isolated hip damage.
For patients with alignment issues, an osteotomy repositions the bone to redistribute weight more evenly across the joint. This procedure preserves the natural hip and can significantly delay the need for replacement.
Preserving your natural hip offers several advantages:
Artificial joints have a limited lifespan. Preserving your hip early means you may avoid the need for additional replacements later in life.
Even with the best preservation techniques, there may come a time when hip replacement becomes the right choice. The most successful, cost-effective form of surgery available, a total hip replacement can restore function and comfort if pain interferes with daily activities, sleep, or work, or if imaging shows advanced cartilage loss.
We help patients make informed decisions about their care. Dr. Park takes time to review your imaging results, discuss your lifestyle goals, and explain both surgical and nonsurgical options. He matches treatment to your specific needs, whether that means preserving your hip or proceeding with replacement when it’s truly necessary.
If you’re experiencing ongoing hip pain, don’t wait until it becomes unbearable. Early evaluation offers the best chance for successful joint preservation. Through advanced diagnostics and minimally invasive techniques, we help patients regain movement, reduce pain, and enjoy an active lifestyle without unnecessary surgery.
Hip preservation may not be right for everyone, but for many, it offers a path to staying active on their own two feet for years to come. Call our Houston, Texas, office to arrange a discussion about hip preservation, or book an appointment through our online portal.
