Find answers to frequently asked questions about hip injuries, hip pain, hip replacement surgery and other orthopedic conditions. If you have additional questions about our orthopedic medical services, please give us a call at 502-212-2663 to make an appointment or for more information. We look forward to serving you.
Is arthritis of the hip common?
Hip arthritis is less common than knee arthritis. Osteoarthritis in people is very common. The majority of people over age 65 will have x-ray findings revealing some degree of osteoarthritis.
What is trochanteric bursitis?
Trochanteric bursitis involves the hip. Most people will complain of a sharp pain located over the outer half on the hip. It hurts with direct pressure over the area such as sleeping on that side at night. Hip flexing can also worsen the symptoms such as climbing stairs. There is a small sac of fluid that naturally occurs between the greater trochanteric region of the hip bone and the IT band. If the bursa becomes inflammed the fluid increases and pain occurs.
Could you tell me more about osteonecrosis and why it occurs?
Osteonecrosis is a condition where the bone involved loses it’s blood supply and starts to die. Causes range from repetitive micro trauma to sickle cell disease. Other known causes of osteonecrosis are: alcoholism and oral steroid use.
There is also a category called idiopathic. Idiopathic means we have no idea how it occurred. Common areas that it occurs in the body are: medial aspect of the knee, the capitellum bone of the elbow, the talar bone of the ankle and hip. Treatment ranges from observation, non weight bearing to surgery. The surgery can range from a bone marrow stimulation procedure to undergoing a joint replacement (arthroplasty).
What can be done about a trochanteric fracture?
A non displaced trochanteric fracture can be treated with modifications in weight bearing, that is the use of crutches or a wheelchair. If the fracture is displaced, orthopedic surgery may be indicated.
Interested in answers to some frequently asked questions about other orthopedic conditions? Check out more of our FAQ pages.
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A hot topic in ACL research involves which is a more superior operation: double bundle ACL reconstructions versus the single bundle ACL. In the April 2014 Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery Drs. Starman et al. reported on this topic in the "What's New in Sports Medicine" section of the journal. They stated that there is no current evidence to support one procedure over the other.
