Orthopaedic Second Opinion Program
Our team of expert orthopaedic specialists offers second opinions to any patient who has received an orthopaedic diagnosis. Receive a Second Opinion.
Are you experiencing hip pain? Are you limping or having trouble walking? How about sleeping? Are you uncomfortable when you lie on one or both sides?
Hip pain is all too common in adults. Your hip joint is located in the groin; therefore, problems with your hip may cause you to feel pain in the groin, in the leg all the way down to your knee, and even in your buttocks.
There are several conditions that cause pain in the hips, the most common being the natural aging process, which can wear away at the cartilage between the bones at joints, causing inflammation and pain.
Arthritis in Hip
A hip affected by inflammatory arthritis will feel painful and stiff. Because of natural wear and tear, the hip joint can become swollen and inflamed, which may affect range of motion. Other times, developmental conditions, such as the hip joint not forming properly in childhood, can cause the joint to deteriorate later in life and produce symptoms of arthritis.
If you have arthritis in your hip, we may be able to help alleviate some of the pain without surgery. We also perform many arthroscopic (a type of minimally invasive procedure) hip surgeries to prevent or postpone hip replacement surgery. If we determine hip replacement surgery is your best option, you're in the right hands at Penn: We've shaped the joint replacement industry standards used by surgeons around the world and have unparalleled experience in the most advanced surgical techniques.
Sports-Related Hip Injury
A sports athlete who is experiencing hip pain may have a labral tear or hip bursitis. High impact sports, such as hockey and football, or sudden twisting or pivoting motions such as swinging a golf club, increase your risk of hip injury. Running and jumping may also intensify pain in your hip.
If you've experienced a hip injury during physical activity, we have a dedicated Sports Medicine team that can recommend non-surgical and minimally invasive surgical options to get you back on your feet.
Trauma-Related Hip Injury
A traumatic event such as an automobile accident can cause a hip fracture or torn ligaments which can cause immobility and pain. Trauma to the hip can also injure the cartilage leading to joint pain, stiffness and inflammation.
If you've experienced a hip injury due to trauma, take a look at how we may treat it and learn about our Trauma and Fracture Clinic.
Sarcoma in Hip
In very rare cases, joint swelling, stiffness and limping can be symptoms of other conditions such as bone cancer, which is a type of sarcoma. When a bone tumor grows, it presses on healthy bone tissue and can destroy it, which causes pain. Our Orthopaedic Oncology team specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of various sarcomas and will create a personalized plan designed around you and your cancer.
Active Women with Hip Pain
Penn Medicine offers a specialized center for active women of all ages and abilities, from professional athletes, gymnasts, cross-trainers and dancers to weekend warriors and walkers. It is the only multidisciplinary center of its kind in the Philadelphia region. Because the female anatomy is different than its male counterpart, it must be treated as such. Many women who get injured as adolescents will complain of hip pain and, when evaluated, find they have a stress fracture. Other risk factors for stress fracture in the hip include nutritional deficits and gynecologic issues. Women benefit the most when their physical, nutritional, hormonal and psychological needs are fully incorporated into their treatment plans.
Learn more about our Penn Center for the Female Athlete
With so many possibilities and reasons for your hip pain, it's important to seek expert care. Remember that one size does not fit all. At Penn Medicine, we treat the "whole individual" using a multidisciplinary and personalized approach to care. This means you'll receive a customized treatment plan with input from many different specialists to ensure all your needs are met and you receive the best possible outcome.
No matter your condition, we'll work with you to determine the best course of action, which may include hip surgery, non-surgical intervention or both. Read more about the ways we treat hip pain: