Am I a Candidate for Hip Surgery?

If you’re one of the millions of Americans who suffer from chronic hip pain, you’ve likely considered hip surgery. At the same time, you may wonder if less-invasive treatment options would be more effective.

At North Valley Orthopedic Institute in Mission Hills and Tarzana, California, Dr. Ramin Ganjianpour specializes in minimally invasive and open hip surgery. Although most cases of hip pain respond to conservative treatment, sometimes surgery is the best approach.

Here, we highlight the telltale signs that indicate hip surgery might be right for you.

3 factors that indicate you’re a candidate for hip surgery

Hip pain can often be managed with lifestyle changes and conservative treatments, such as using a cane, taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication, and participating in physical therapy. However, certain factors may indicate surgery is a better option, including:

1. Severe hip pain

How intense is your hip pain on a scale of 1 to 10? Anything higher than 6-7 may benefit from an operation. That’s particularly true if your hip pain is debilitating, limits your mobility, or interferes with your ability to do routine tasks, such as driving or going grocery shopping. 

2. Hip joint damage

Hip pain occurs for various reasons, including strains, sprains, bursitis, tendinitis, and chronic conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. 

Acute conditions often improve with conservative care, but chronic conditions can cause permanent joint damage that affects how the hip bone moves in the socket. When that happens, surgery is often the best option; it can repair the joint and prevent further damage.

3. Ineffective conservative treatments

Does your hip pain persist after you take an over-the-counter pain medication or apply ice to the affected joint? Maybe you continue experiencing stiffness or general discomfort after going to physical therapy. 

Since most cases of hip pain improve with conservative treatments, surgery may be worth considering if yours doesn’t.

When to consult an orthopedic surgeon

Schedule an appointment with our caring team if your hip pain is severe or doesn’t improve with at-home treatments, or if diagnostic imaging (X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans) has confirmed damage to your hip joint. 

Chronic hip pain often worsens without treatment, so act quickly to prevent complications.

After discussing your symptoms, completing a physical exam, and conducting diagnostic testing, we can develop a personalized surgical plan that provides lasting relief. 

Whenever possible, we use a minimally invasive (arthroscopic) approach, resulting in smaller incisions, less downtime, and quicker recovery.

Contact us to schedule your hip surgery consultation

Don’t let chronic hip pain keep you sidelined from the activities you love. Call North Valley Orthopedic Institute today to schedule a hip surgery consultation, or request an appointment online.