Hip Preservation Specialist
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Western Orthopaedics, P.C.
Orthopedic Surgeons & Sports Medicine located in Denver, CO & Arvada, CO
Hip replacement surgery can take a while to recover from, but the experienced orthopaedists at Western Orthopaedics, P.C., in Denver, Colorado, offer simpler solutions to repairing hip injuries. They use hip preservation procedures to restore your hip joint and delay or avoid the need for hip replacement surgery in the future. Schedule an appointment with Western Orthopaedics, P.C., over the phone or request a consultation online to learn more about your options.
Hip Preservation Q & A
What is hip preservation?
Hip preservation involves orthopaedic procedures in which your surgeon can prolong the lifespan of your hips, so you can avoid or delay hip replacement. Hip preservation treatments help maintain the integrity of your hip lining and prevent severe arthritic deterioration.
Why might I require hip preservation?
If you experience severe or chronic hip pain but would like to avoid hip replacement surgery, you might be a good candidate for hip preservation. Signs and symptoms of a hip injury or arthritis include:
- Dull, aching pain
- Sharp or severe hip pain
- Swelling
- Stiffness
- Redness
- Decreased mobility
- Diminished range of motion
Your orthopaedic specialist at Western Orthopaedics, P.C., lets you know if you’re a good candidate for hip preservation procedures based on your activity level, age, and severity of hip damage. If you experience minor hip wear and tear, hip preservation might be right for you.
How are hip injuries diagnosed?
To diagnose the type and severity of a hip injury, your orthopaedic surgeon reviews your medical history, asks about your symptoms, and examines your hips. Common hip injuries include:
- Labral tears
- Dislocation
- Bone or cartilage damage
- Impingement
- Loose cartilage
- Fractures
- Dysplasia
Your doctor might use blood tests or imaging procedures, such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs, to diagnose your condition. Signs and symptoms of hip damage include redness, swelling, reduced mobility, and pain.
What should I expect during hip preservation?
Follow your doctor’s instructions prior to a hip preservation procedure. Your surgeon might instruct you to stop taking certain medications and avoid eating and drinking the day of surgery. Find a friend or family member to drive you home.
Hip preservation often uses arthroscopic procedures to repair hip damage and prevent future injuries. Your doctor makes a tiny incision and may use an arthroscope, or tiny tube attached to a camera, to view the inside of your joint, clean it out, and repair damage.
The procedure might take several hours to complete. Your surgeon closes the incision sites with sutures or adhesive tape.
If you’re a good candidate for regenerative medicine, you may receive stem cell or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections instead of, or combined with, minimally invasive hip preservation surgery.
What happens during recovery?
After a hip preservation procedure, follow your doctor’s instructions. Have somebody drive you home after arthroscopy. Take medications as prescribed, ice the treatment area, attend follow-up appointments, and attend physical therapy sessions to accelerate healing and prevent re-injury.
You might use crutches for a few weeks after surgery, but can often return to strenuous physical activity or playing sports within four to six months.
Don’t let hip problems progress to the point of requiring a hip replacement. Schedule a hip preservation consultation with the experts at Western Orthopaedics, P.C., over the phone or request online today.