Articles by Dr. David J. King

Hip Impingement

Related to: Hip, Common Diagnoses, Hip Impingement

Hip impingement, also known as femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), is a condition involving abnormal bony anatomy in the hip. Specific events or repetitive hip motion, in combination with these bony abnormalities, often lead to labral tears and cartilage damage. The most common complaint is groin, hip or buttock pain when the hip is bent. The bony impingement and subsequent soft tissue injuries are believed to be the initial events that lead to hip arthritis in younger patients.

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Hip Arthoscopy - Overview

Related to: Hip, Surgical Procedures, Hip Arthroscopy- Overview

Hip arthroscopy uses minimally invasive techniques to address a variety of hip problems in the young, active individual. Special instruments and cameras (Image 1) are passed through small incisions in the skin surrounding the hip. Techniques have been developed using these particular instruments to correct injuries previously treated with large open incisions and surgical hip dislocation.

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Birmingham Hip Resurfacing

Related to: Hip, Surgical Procedures, Birmingham Hip Resurfacing

Birmingham Hip Resurfacing is a procedure to treat hip arthritis in young, active patients. Although traditional total hip replacement (THA) is an extremely effective procedure, questions remain about its longevity.


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Hip MRI & X-Ray Review

Related to: Hip, MRI & X-Ray Review

We are currently offering to review your X-rays and/or MRI scans to determine if an office visit would be appropriate to discuss any of the following: hip impingement, hip arthroscopy, labral repair, hip resurfacing or total hip arthroplasty.

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Hip Osteoarthritis

Related to: Animations, Hip, Common Diagnoses, Hip Arthritis

Osteoarthritis of the hip is a condition that develops as a result of the loss of the normal hip cartilage. The cartilage is the smooth tissue on the end of bones that allows the hip to glide smoothly and painlessly. Over time, this cartilage can wear away resulting in bone rubbing on bone. This is generally a painful condition and can be a source of significant discomfort at night. Joint replacement is the definitive surgical choice to correct hip arthritis. Possible surgical options include: Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (BHR), large head metal-on-metal total hip replacement or traditional total hip replacement.

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Muscle Sprains

Related to: Hip, Common Diagnoses, Muscle Sprains

Numerous muscles originate, insert and/or pass through the hip region. Specific muscle injuries lead to pain in the corresponding areas of the hip. Treatment is dependent on the muscle injured and amount of damage that has occurred.

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Snapping Hip Syndrome

Related to: Hip, Common Diagnoses, Snapping Hip Syndrome, Surgical Procedures, Arthroscopic Snapping Hip Release

Painful snapping in the hip can be caused by tendons rubbing over bony prominences in the front or outside of the hip. The main treatment for this condition is physical therapy combined with medications or injections. Occasionally these treatments will be ineffective, and an arthroscopic snapping hip release may be performed to alleviate the symptoms.

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Sports Hernias

Related to: Hip, Common Diagnoses, Sports Hernia

Sports hernia is an injury to the inguinal wall that causes sports-related groin pain. Unlike most traditional hernias, sports hernias are rarely visible, but can be discovered during a physical exam. Sports hernias can be associated with additional hip problems, such as hip impingement. After a sports hernia occurs, it rarely improves without laparoscopic or open surgery to repair the defect.

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Bursitis

Related to: Hip, Common Diagnoses, Bursitis

Bursitis in the hip typically involves the greater trochanteric bursa on the outside of the joint. The bursa normally helps tendons glide smoothly over bony prominences, but it can become inflamed. A patient's hip is usually tender to the touch and complain of symptoms at night when he/she lays on the affected side. The initial treatment involves anti-inflammatories, physical therapy and steroid injections. If all of these therapies fail, an arthroscopic bursectomy may be performed to alleviate the symptoms.

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Piriformis Syndrome

Related to: Hip, Common Diagnoses, Piriformis Syndrome

Piriformis syndrome is a controversial diagnosis that implies sciatic nerve irritation with symptoms that arise from compression or damage to the nerve as it passes under or through the piriformis muscle in the posterior hip region. There are no definitive tests to confirm this condition, and it is often believed to be secondary to other primary problems, such as hip impingement. All other causes of sciatic nerve irritation need to be ruled out; piriformis syndrome is considered a diagnosis of exclusion.

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