Hip injuries can be intimidating, especially for elderly patients, because they often disrupt independence and quality of life. The pain from common hip conditions like arthritis or bursitis can interfere with restful sleep, limit mobility, and make daily activities more challenging. Left untreated, these conditions may worsen over time, which is why early evaluation by an experienced orthopedic team is essential.
At Union County Orthopaedic Group, our board-certified orthopedic surgeons combine advanced expertise with decades of experience to provide the highest quality care. We create comprehensive treatment plans — both surgical and non-surgical — to help patients recover and return to a pain-free life.
When surgery is necessary, our team draws on extensive training and proven success performing complex procedures. Patients across New Jersey and New York rely on our hip specialists for their skill in restoring mobility, confidence, and quality of life.
Common Hip Conditions & Injuries
Hip conditions can range from degenerative diseases to sudden traumatic injuries, each presenting unique challenges for mobility and comfort. Recognizing these issues early is important for timely treatment and improved outcomes. Below are some of the most common hip concerns treated at our practice:
- Degenerative Arthritis: This condition results from the gradual wearing away of cartilage in the hip joint, leading to stiffness, pain, and reduced mobility.
- Trochanteric Bursitis: Inflammation of the bursa near the hip joint often causes pain on the outer part of the thigh.
- Femoral Acetabular Impingement Syndrome: A condition where abnormal contact between the hip bones leads to joint damage and discomfort.
- Fractures: Breaks in the hip bone, often due to trauma or weakened bones, requiring immediate attention.
- Hip Dislocations: When the femoral head slips out of the socket, often from accidents or high-impact injuries.
- Hip Instability: A feeling that the hip may give out or dislocate, frequently related to ligament injuries or joint laxity.
- Hip Impingement: Extra bone growth or an abnormal hip shape causes friction during movement, leading to pain and stiffness.
- Labral Tears: Damage to the labrum, the cartilage rim of the socket, which can cause catching, clicking, or instability in the hip.
- Gluteus Medius Tears: Injury to a major stabilizing muscle in the hip that can cause lateral hip pain and weakness.
- Piriformis Syndrome: Compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve by the piriformis muscle, leading to hip and leg pain.
These conditions highlight the complexity of the hip joint and underscore the importance of expert evaluation and treatment by an experienced orthopedic team.
Common Treatments of Hip Conditions
When it comes to relieving pain and restoring mobility, several advanced treatment options are available. These procedures are designed to help patients regain comfort and independence when non-surgical methods are no longer effective. These include the following:
- Total Hip Replacement (Arthroplasty). This procedure involves replacing the damaged hip joint with a prosthetic implant to restore smooth function and reduce pain. Helpful resources include:
- Revision Total Hip Replacement (Arthroplasty). This option is necessary when a previous hip replacement needs correction or improvement due to implant wear, loosening, or complications.
These treatments highlight the expertise of our orthopedic team and the advanced technology available for patients needing surgical solutions for severe hip conditions.
Anatomy of the Hips
Our hips are essential for balance and spinal alignment, supporting the entire upper body during activities such as sitting, walking, and sports. These weight-bearing ball-and-socket joints are durable but prone to wear, tear, and injury.
Joints
The pelvic bones connect the lower back to the hips, joined to the sacrum via sacroiliac joints. Though immobile, these joints transfer upper-body weight to the legs. Ligaments and muscles support them, but can become strained, leading to pain that may require physical therapy or injections.
The main hip joint is formed by the femoral head (top of the thigh bone) and the acetabulum (socket in the pelvic bone). This joint allows sitting, walking, running, and movements such as:
- Abduction (raising the leg outward).
- Adduction (lowering the leg).
- Flexion (bending the leg at the knee).
- Extension (straightening the leg).
- Rotation.
Both the femoral head and acetabulum are lined with articular cartilage, a smooth tissue enabling frictionless movement. When worn down (as in osteoarthritis), cartilage loss leads to pain, stiffness, limping, and mobility challenges.
The acetabulum rim is lined with the labrum, which holds the joint together. Tears to the labrum — often from sports or trauma — can cause instability, pain, and abnormal gait.
Ligaments
Ligaments support the hip joint within a strong joint capsule filled with synovial fluid for lubrication. Key ligaments include:
- Ligament of the head of the femur: Houses the obturator artery, supporting blood supply to the joint.
- Iliofemoral ligament: The body’s strongest ligament, shaped like a “Y,” stabilizes the femoral head in the socket.
- Ischiofemoral ligament: Connects the femoral neck to the back of the acetabulum, preventing dislocation.
- Pubofemoral ligament: Connects the pubic bone to the joint capsule, limiting excessive abduction.
Damage to these ligaments can lead to instability, necrosis, or chronic hip pain.
Common Treatments of Hip Conditions
Hip pain is often caused by arthritis, bursitis, labral tears, or injuries such as fractures and dislocations. Age-related wear and tear also contributes significantly.
Candidates for hip replacement typically experience chronic pain, limited mobility, and little relief from non-surgical treatments such as medication or therapy.
Options include physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, cortisone injections, and lifestyle modifications such as exercise and weight management.
Most patients resume daily activities within 3 to 6 weeks, with full recovery and strength returning over several months, depending on age and overall health.
Maintaining strong core and leg muscles, using proper posture, and avoiding high-impact activities when joints are inflamed can reduce the risk of hip injuries.
Why Choose Union County Orthopaedic Group?
Our physicians bring over five decades of trusted service to the community. With a team of board-certified orthopedic surgeons and specialists, we provide advanced diagnostics, cutting-edge surgical techniques, and compassionate care tailored to each patient. Our on-site physical therapy, diagnostic testing, and multiple convenient locations ensure streamlined treatment and faster recovery. Patients choose us for our commitment to restoring mobility, reducing pain, and helping every individual return to the activities they love.
Schedule Your Hip Care Consultation
Find lasting relief from hip pain with trusted orthopedic expertise right in your community. Call us at:
- Clark Office: 732-388-1761
- Linden Office: 908-486-1111
- Union Office: 908-486-4400
Our welcoming staff is ready to assist you with scheduling and answer any questions you may have so you can begin your journey to improved mobility and comfort.