Whether caused by a sports injury, an accident, or gradual wear and tear,
hip pain can limit the ability to live one’s best life. ValleyOrtho
utilizes both surgical and nonsurgical techniques to treat patients who
are suffering with pain or loss of mobility due to conditions or injuries
in the hip.
ValleyOrtho is committed to being the trusted leader in innovative, quality-focused,
comprehensive musculoskeletal care in the Roaring Fork Valley and beyond
by providing highly specialized treatment plans for those experiencing
hip pain in a well-coordinated manner, focusing on one patient at a time.
The hip joint is configured like a ball-and-socket. The ball is located
at the upper end of the thighbone (femur), the socket is located on the
pelvis (acetabulum), and the labrum is soft tissue that covers the rim
of the acetabulum. Both the ball and socket are covered in joint cartilage
for smooth movement.
Osteoarthritis of the hip results from a progressive breakdown (“wear
and tear”) of the cartilage on the top of the thighbone or the socket
on the pelvis. Gradual loss of this cartilage increases the joint friction,
and in extreme cases allows bone to rub against bone. Some arthritic change
is normal and expected as we age however, more severe hip arthritis can
interfere with activities of daily living and can limit one’s lifestyle.
The hip joint is made from the connection of the top, ball shaped, end
of the thighbone (femur) and the socket of the pelvis (acetabulum), which
allows for motion in nearly all directions. In hip impingement, or FAI,
the structure of the hip is subtly altered, resulting in abnormal motion.
The ball and socket of the hip do not quite fit together properly, resulting
in abnormal mechanics and eventual damage to the joint. Long-standing,
untreated FAI may actually be one of the most common causes of osteoarthritis
of the hip.
There are two types of hip impingement:
Cam impingement occurs when the ball of the hip joint is not perfectly round.
Pincer impingement occurs when the socket of the hip overhangs and impinges
(presses) against the ball.
In both cases this can lead to labral tears, cartilage damage and hip pain.
The hip joint is configured like a ball-and-socket. The ball is located
at the upper end of the thighbone (femur), the socket is located on the
pelvis (acetabulum), and the labrum is soft tissue that covers the rim
of the acetabulum. Both the ball and socket are covered in joint cartilage
for smooth movement.
A hip labral tear is an injury to the labrum. The labrum serves as a seal
while also providing stability and sensory feedback to the hip joint.
Snapping hip is a general term that describes a snap or click in the hip
that occurs with certain movements such as raising and lowering the leg
or twisting of the hip.