Top Hip Surgeons in Pittsburgh, PA
Severe hip pain can dramatically compromise one’s quality of life. For some patients, hip pain can even prevent them from doing light activities or day-to-day household chores. If you have tried more conservative hip therapies and have found very little success, it may be time to consider surgical options for more long-term, effective results on which you can depend.
At Greater Pittsburgh Orthopedic Associates (GPOA), our team is comprised of some of the best hip surgeons in Pittsburgh. We’re proud to offer our patients premium care from experienced orthopedic doctors and surgeons who specialize in reparative hip surgery, as well as hip replacement, should that procedure become necessary. Using our minimally-invasive approach alongside cutting-edge medical technology, we offer our patients every opportunity to find a treatment that will restore their range of motion and provide long-term pain relief.
No one should have their way of life hindered by chronic pain and severely limited mobility due to a hip condition. When you become a patient at Greater Pittsburgh Orthopedic Associates, you can put your “hip surgeons near me” searches to rest. Schedule your appointment with one of our hip surgery specialists today.
Hip Replacement Surgeons Pittsburgh PA
Providers
Stephen Thomas, MD
GPOA’s Experienced Hip Replacement Surgeons
At Greater Pittsburgh Orthopedic Associates (GPOA), our hip surgeons have undergone years of specialized training to specifically treat arthritic disorders of the hip. Our team is capable of treating a wide variety of hip disorders, including those caused by particular types of arthritis.
The most common type of arthritis affecting the hip is “degenerative” arthritis that is due to wear and tear. Other causes include post-traumatic arthritis, which develops after a hip injury, and rheumatoid arthritis, which is a complex immune system disorder that leads to the erosion of one or more joints of the body. In the past, childhood hip disease such as developmental dislocation or dysplasia of the hip, Perthes disease of the hip, and slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) were common causes of hip arthritis during adulthood. The improved recognition and treatment of these childhood disorders has made arthritis a rare consequence of childhood hip disorders, but those who were treated as children before the new developments may still experience the effects of arthritis as they get older.
If any of these circumstances sound familiar to you, it’s likely that the pain, discomfort and lack of mobility you’re currently experiencing in your hip is due to arthritis. Don’t hesitate to find treatment and return to a healthy, pain-free, fully-mobile life. Schedule your appointment with GPOA today.
Minimally-Invasive Hip Replacement Surgery - Pittsburgh, PA
The hip professionals at Greater Pittsburgh Orthopedic Associates take a minimally-invasive approach to treating arthritis and other conditions of the joints as frequently as possible. Some of the less invasive options we recommend to patients include activity modification, oral medication, cortisone injections, or lubrication injections to relieve pain in your joints without a need for surgery.
However, sometimes surgery is the best option for returning you to full mobility with results that will last you the rest of your life. There are many types of surgical procedures that can be performed on the hips and the surrounding tissue. They range from minimally-invasive arthroscopic procedures used to repair torn cartilage or ligaments to total hip replacements.
When determining the course of your treatment, our hip specialists will work closely with you to develop a treatment plan that meets the needs of your individual case, as well as your personal goals for your recovery. This treatment will depend on how far the arthritis has progressed, your overall health and weight, and the goals you discuss with your surgeon. Regardless of your needs, the hip surgeons at Greater Pittsburgh Orthopaedic Associates are committed to working with patients with hip arthritis to develop a reasonable treatment plan for their arthritis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why might I need hip surgery?
Surgery is one option in the treatment of structural disorders that affect the hips. It may be an option for severe hip pain that has not responded to other pain management strategies. Although many people try to postpone or avoid surgical intervention, it is often the best option for the treatment of common hip conditions such as osteoarthritis. Not all conditions require surgery, or yours may not have progressed to the point of needing it.
Why might I need cartilage repair?
Your hip relies on cartilage to facilitate smooth, fluid, and pain-free movement. Unfortunately, cartilage can be damaged in a number of ways. Two of the most common causes are trauma to the joint and arthritis. An injury or trauma can cause a tear and arthritis leads to degeneration and wear of the tissue.
Once it is damaged, cartilage does not heal well. In cases where the joint is able to grow new cartilage, it is often rough or bumpy. That makes it less able to facilitate smooth movement at the joint, which is its main function. Luckily, there are surgical options that are designed to repair, regenerate, or restore the condition of the cartilage in your hip. These are most commonly used in patients who have limited or isolated damage, usually due to trauma.
In some cases, cartilage can be transplanted from one part of your body to another. This may be a good choice if you have damage from an injury or arthritis in a limited number of joints. It is also possible to stimulate bone marrow through a precision procedure. This, in turn, stimulates cartilage growth in the joint.
Cartilage can also be grown outside of the body and then implanted into your hip. This requires two separate procedures: one to harvest cartilage cells and another to re-implant them.
What is arthroscopic surgery?
Arthroscopic surgery is performed through small incisions. Using these to access the hip, your surgeon inserts a miniature video camera and surgical tools. This can be useful in treating cartilage damage, repairing torn ligaments, and to assess the condition of your joint.
Since you will only need a few small incisions, you will not be left with a large scar. This technology also reduces risks thanks to its less invasive nature. Also, you may be able to choose to receive regional anesthesia during arthroscopic surgery, so you can remain awake during the whole process.
Although the list of conditions that can be treated and procedures that can be performed arthroscopically is continually growing, it cannot be used for all treatments. You should discuss whether arthroscopic surgery is an option for you when you meet with one of our specialists.
How can hip surgery help me?
In general, people who can relate to these statements will benefit from a consultation with an orthopedic surgeon:
- You experience chronic hip pain
- You sustained an injury to your hip
- You have been diagnosed with arthritis
- Your mobility and range of motion is limited
Any time hip pain causes you to alter your behavior, you should take action. Advances in surgical techniques mean safer, less-invasive treatments with quicker recovery times. However, hip surgery isn’t always the best option for everyone. For example, if you have a current infection, your pain or mobility issues are caused by something other than hip degeneration, or you have a history of blood clots, then you may not be a good candidate for surgery.
If you are tired of living with hip pain and other treatments have not worked to ease it, we can help. Our orthopedic specialists work to treat conditions affecting the hip, and we are happy to share how surgery can help reduce your pain and allow you to return to activities you enjoy. GPOA serves patients throughout the Pittsburgh area. Contact us to schedule your appointment.