Our ability to diagnose and treat hip problems in the young adult population has evolved dramatically over the past three decades. Prior to the widespread utilization of hip arthroscopy in the 1990’s, young and active patients with hip pain were faced with several undesirable options:
- Cope with the pain
- Give up the active lifestyle
- Use medicines and injections for temporary and incomplete relief
- Undergo a hip replacement surgery
At the time, hip replacement was one of few surgical treatments available, but carried significant risks including infection, dislocation, and possible future need for a second or third surgery to replace worn out parts. It also wasn’t a perfect solution, as young patients with a prosthetic hip had to maintain a relatively sedentary lifestyle given that the components were not designed to withstand significant stress. Even then, repeat operations were not uncommon and carried an even greater risk of complications.
As our understanding of hip pathology evolved so did our ability to treat pre-arthritic conditions, giving rise to the field of hip preservation. Hip preservation specialists are concerned with repairing, reconstructing, and reshaping the abnormal and diseased hip to achieve several goals:
- Reduce pain
- Increase range of motion and stability
- Allow for unrestricted participation in activities
- Preserve the native hip joint for a natural, durable solution
- Prevent or significantly reduce the need for future joint replacement
Hip preservation surgery includes minimally invasive hip arthroscopy along with other procedures aiming to reorient and realign the abnormal hip into a more desirable position (PAO and DFO).
If you are suffering from hip pain and want to explore joint preserving options, give us a call today and our team at SCHI will be happy to schedule a comprehensive evaluation. Dr. Garabekyan will take time to address all of your concerns, until you are completely satisfied with your treatment plan. Let us show you the path to a more active and healthy lifestyle!
Related Topics: Hip Replacement, Hip Arthroscopy, PAO, DFO