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Conditions · Hip

Hip Conditions

Hip problems show up in the groin and thigh, not the side, and they fall into two very different groups.

Hip Osteoarthritis

Groin pain and stiffness that make socks and shoes a project.

Hip Labral Tear

A sharp pinch deep in the groin with pivoting or deep sitting.

Avascular Necrosis of the Hip

Groin pain in a younger adult with no injury.

Hip Fractures

A fall, and a leg that cannot bear weight.

Failed or Infected Joint Replacement

A replacement that worked, and now hurts.

Hip · Joint Replacement

Hip Osteoarthritis

Wear of the cartilage in the ball-and-socket hip joint, causing groin pain, stiffness and a limp that gradually limits walking and daily tasks.

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Hip · Shoulder and Sports Medicine

Hip Labral Tear

A tear in the cartilage rim of the hip socket, usually from impingement between a misshapen ball and socket, causing a sharp pinch deep in the groin with pivoting or sitting.

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Hip · Joint Replacement

Avascular Necrosis of the Hip

Loss of blood supply to the ball of the hip, which causes the bone to die and collapse. Early treatment can save the joint; late disease needs replacement.

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Hip · Joint Replacement

Hip Fractures

A break of the upper thigh bone at the hip, almost always from a fall in an older adult, treated with urgent surgery to get the patient standing again.

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Hip · Joint Replacement

Failed or Infected Joint Replacement

A hip or knee replacement that has loosened, worn, become unstable or developed an infection, causing pain and loss of function years after a good result.

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ContactTalk toa real person.

Two clinics, one number to call or text. Same-day appointments for acute injuries whenever we can. The front desk will match you with the right surgeon.

Call801-640-0000

TextSend a text

Provo1055 N 300 W, Ste 104

Orem700 W 800 N, Ste 330

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What it is

Hip Osteoarthritis

Hip osteoarthritis is the thinning of cartilage between the ball of the thigh bone and the socket of the pelvis.

As the surface wears, the joint stiffens, spurs form, and bone eventually rubs on bone.It progresses over years and is among the most common reasons adults stop doing the things they enjoy.

At a glance

Also calledDegenerative hip

Most commonAfter 55

First stepExam and standing X-rays

Treated by

Jeffrey Wallentine, MD, Joint Replacement surgeon at Ridgeline Orthopedic Specialists

Dr. WallentineJoint Replacement

Kevin Christensen, MD, Knee, Shoulder and Sports Medicine surgeon at Ridgeline Orthopedic Specialists

Dr. ChristensenKnee, Shoulder and Sports Medicine

Request an appointment

or call801-640-0000

Hip Osteoarthritis

Symptoms

Deep groin pain, sometimes radiating to the front of the thigh or the knee, with walking, standing from a chair, and getting in and out of the car. Morning stiffness. Trouble bending to put on socks and shoes.A limp others notice before you do.

Common signs

Deep groin pain with walking

Stiff putting on socks and shoes

Pain rising from a chair

A limp others notice

See us sooner if

Sudden severe pain after a fall

Cannot bear weight

Hip Osteoarthritis

Causes

Age and genetics, prior hip injury or childhood hip conditions, subtle shape differences between ball and socket called impingement, and avascular necrosis where the ball loses its blood supply.Pain on the outside of the hip is usually bursitis rather than arthritis and is treated differently.

Hip Osteoarthritis

How We Diagnose It

Exam reproduces groin pain with rotation and shows loss of internal rotation.Standing X-rays confirm cartilage loss and spurs. MRI is reserved for early disease or suspected avascular necrosis.Back problems can mimic hip arthritis; the exam separates them.Direct anterior replacement at a Utah Valley hospital, usually same-day discharge, when conservative care is no longer enough. Dr. Wallentine and Dr. Christensen operate at Utah Valley Hospital and Mountain View Hospital.

Hip Osteoarthritis

Treatment Options

Anti-inflammatories, activity changes, strengthening, a cane in the opposite hand and injections help many patients for years.

When pain limits walking, sleep and daily life, total hip replacement is among the most reliable operations in medicine. Dr. Wallentine and Dr. Christensen use the direct anterior approach, and Dr. Wallentine adds Mako robotic planning.

Your options

Non-surgical

Anti-inflammatories

Strengthening

Cane in opposite hand

Injection

Surgical

Anterior hip replacement

Revision if needed

Total Hip Replacement

Revision Hip Replacement

Biologic Treatments

Hip Osteoarthritis

Procedures That Address It

Total Hip Replacement

Revision Hip Replacement

Biologic Treatments

Hip Osteoarthritis

Surgeons Who Treat It

Dr. Wallentine, MD

Thirty-four years in practice. Mako robotic-assisted hip and knee replacement. Stanford sports medicine fellowship. BYU athletics team surgeon.

Dr. Christensen, MD

Andrews Institute sports medicine fellowship under Dr. James Andrews. Board certified in orthopedic surgery and orthopedic sports medicine. Fluent in Spanish.

Request an appointment

or call801-640-0000

ContactTalk toa real person.

Two clinics, one number to call or text. Same-day appointments for acute injuries whenever we can. The front desk will match you with the right surgeon.

Call801-640-0000

TextSend a text

Provo1055 N 300 W, Ste 104

Orem700 W 800 N, Ste 330

Request an appointment

Find a clinic

Nondiscrimination Accessibility Good Faith Estimate