Hip Pain and Hip Injury Treatment

Local Care for Lasting Relief from Hip Problems

Your hips do more than keep you moving—they provide strength, balance, and support for your entire body. When hip pain or injury affects your ability to walk, bend, or even rest comfortably, Orthopedic Specialists is here to help. Our experienced team offers personalized care for all types of hip conditions, from minor strains to complex joint issues. Whether you're recovering from an injury or managing a chronic condition, our goal is to get you back to doing what you love—safely and confidently.

Understanding Hip Anatomy and Function

The hip is one of the largest and strongest joints in the body. It works like a ball-and-socket, where the round head of the femur (thigh bone) fits securely into the acetabulum (socket) of the pelvis. Surrounding muscles, ligaments, cartilage, and tendons help the joint move smoothly and absorb the forces of walking, running, and everyday motion.

Because the hip supports so much of your body weight and movement, it’s especially vulnerable to wear and tear, injury, and overuse, particularly as we age or participate in repetitive activities.

Common Hip Conditions We Treat

Hip problems can affect people of all ages and activity levels. Some of the most common issues we treat include:

Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Cause: Degeneration of cartilage (OA) or autoimmune inflammation (RA)
• Symptoms: Stiffness, pain with movement, loss of mobility
• Treatment: Medication, physical therapy, injections, or joint replacement surgery

Hip Bursitis

• Cause: Inflammation of fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that cushion the hip joint
• Symptoms: Pain on the outside of the hip, especially when lying on it or walking
• Treatment: Rest, anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy, injections

Hip Labral Tear

• Cause: Damage to the cartilage ring (labrum) that lines the hip socket, often due to injury or impingement
• Symptoms: Groin pain, clicking or locking sensation, limited motion
• Treatment: Physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, arthroscopic surgery

Hip Impingement (FAI)

• Cause: Abnormal contact between the hip bones, often due to bone shape
• Symptoms: Sharp groin pain during activity, stiffness, reduced motion
• Treatment: Activity modification, physical therapy, surgical reshaping of joint surfaces

Hip Fractures

• Cause: Trauma, especially in older adults with weakened bones
• Symptoms: Sudden severe pain, inability to walk or move the leg
• Treatment: Surgery to repair or replace the damaged hip, followed by rehabilitation

Hip Dysplasia

• Cause: Abnormal development of the hip joint, often present from birth
• Symptoms: Pain, instability, or early onset arthritis
• Treatment: Surgical correction or joint replacement, depending on severity

Diagnostic Tools and Personalized Evaluation

Accurate diagnosis is key to effective treatment. When you visit Orthopedic Specialists for hip pain, your provider will:

• Review your medical history
• Perform a physical examination
• Order imaging tests as needed, such as:
  • X-rays to check joint structure and bone alignment
  • MRIs to evaluate cartilage, tendons, and labral tissue
  • CT scans for detailed 3D bone assessment

Based on the diagnosis, we’ll create a customized treatment plan that meets your specific needs and goals.

Nonsurgical Hip Pain Treatments

Whenever possible, we use conservative, nonsurgical options to relieve hip pain and restore function. These may include:

• Physical Therapy: Exercises to strengthen muscles, improve flexibility, and reduce pain
• Medication: Over-the-counter or prescription anti-inflammatory drugs
• Activity Modification: Avoiding or changing movements that cause pain
• Steroid Injections: To reduce inflammation and relieve pain
• Orthopedic Supports: Braces, orthotics, or mobility aids to assist recovery

Many patients find long-term relief with these methods, especially when combined with guided therapy and healthy lifestyle changes.

Advanced Surgical Hip Treatments

If nonsurgical options aren’t enough, our orthopedic surgeons are highly skilled in a range of surgical techniques, including:

Hip Labral Repair

Minimally invasive surgery (arthroscopy) to repair torn cartilage and restore stability to the joint.

Hip Impingement Surgery

Surgical reshaping of the ball and socket to prevent abnormal friction and preserve joint health.

Total Hip Replacement (Arthroplasty)

Replaces the damaged ball-and-socket joint with a prosthetic implant, relieving pain and restoring motion for patients with severe arthritis or injury.

Hip Revision Surgery

A procedure to replace or repair a previous hip implant that has become loose, worn out, or infected. Often more complex than the initial surgery, this ensures long-term stability and function.

When to See a Hip Specialist

You don’t have to live with hip pain. Schedule an evaluation with our orthopedic team if you experience:

• Persistent hip or groin pain, even at rest
• Difficulty walking, bending, or standing up
• Clicking, popping, or catching in the hip joint
• Sudden pain or inability to move after a fall or trauma
• Pain that worsens with activity or keeps you from daily routines

Early treatment can help you avoid more serious problems down the road and improve your long-term outcome.

Personalized Care You Can Trust

At Orthopedic Specialists, we’re committed to providing expert, compassionate care from your first appointment through recovery. Whether you need physical therapy, advanced imaging, or joint replacement surgery, you’ll find all the resources you need under one roof.
We proudly serve patients in Fort Dodge and the surrounding region, helping you get back to doing the things you love, with less pain and more confidence.

If hip discomfort is interfering with your life, let the experienced team at Orthopedic Specialists help. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.