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Hip

Our specialty-trained hip doctors at North Louisiana Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Clinic are experts in providing experienced care for patients’ hip injuries and conditions.

A hip doctor is a medical expert who has a deep level of knowledge of the hip joint and how to treat it. A good hip doctor also understands the challenges a patient faces when they have hip pain. Because it is the largest joint in the body, when the hip is painful, it can have a significant impact on a patient’s quality of life. Additionally, a hip doctor knows that if hip conditions go on ignored, more serious health consequences can result, such as losing the ability to walk normally.

Broken hips can happen to anyone, but seniors are at higher risk for two significant reasons–one is that seniors tend to have more balance issues than younger people. Secondly, their bone strength tends to be weaker, and therefore, they are more likely to suffer a fracture if they do fall.

While hip doctors frequently work with seniors, they are working more and more with younger, active people. One reason is that more people are choosing to participate in high-intensity exercises. These activities can be beneficial for cardiovascular health, but on the other hand, they can sometimes cause joint damage

When It’s Time to Seek Hip Care

Take note of the symptoms you are experiencing and communicate those to your doctor so they will have a better understanding of what may be happening. Here are just some of the symptoms that people with hip problems typically have:

  • Cramps or muscle spasms in the hips
  • Difficulty lifting the knee or leg
  • Groin or buttock pain
  • Inflammation or burning sensation
  • Knee pain
  • Limping
  • One leg looks shorter than the other
  • Swelling
  • The outer side of the hip is painful

If any of these symptoms describe your hip issue, it’s possible that you may have one of these hip conditions or injuries:

  • Arthritis
  • Bursitis
  • Evelopmental Displacement of the Hip (DDH)
  • Femoral acetabular impingement syndrome (FAI)
  • Fractures (Intracapsular, Intertrochanteric, or Subtrochanteric)
  • Hip flexor strain
  • Osteoporosis
  • Sprain

Hip pain can have a negative effect on your life, leaving you unable to complete everyday tasks. If the hip pain and underlying condition remain untreated, there is a risk of further injury or damage occurring, which is why it’s imperative to contact one of our specialists and set up a consultation. Call us today at (318) 362-4411 to schedule an appointment or request an appointment online. We have clinics in Monroe, Ruston, and West Monroe, and we also offer rehabilitation services at our Monroe Rehab and West Monroe Rehab facilities.

Our doctors understand that some injuries require immediate attention. If your hip injury can’t wait, visit our Orthopaedic After Hours Clinic at our main location in Monroe. Walk-ins are welcome, and no appointment is necessary.

Expert Hip Care You Can Trust

Since 1951, our doctors have remained dedicated to providing specialized bone, joint, and muscle care to the communities of northeast Louisiana. They are backed by a knowledgeable and professional staff and are equipped with the latest resources, technology, and tools they need to deliver the very best orthopaedic care to all patients.

At North Louisiana Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Clinic, our board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeons, Dr. Sidney Bailey, Dr. R. Brian Bulloch, Dr. Jeffrey Counts, Dr. Grant DonaDr. Elliott Nipper, Dr. Kristopher Sirmon, and Dr. Timothy “Daven” Spires Jr. are experts at understanding the multitude of hip issues that exist and the most appropriate ways to treat them. Our hip doctors believe in exhausting all conservative treatments first, such as physical therapy or injections, before considering a surgical procedure. However, if our surgeons diagnose your hip damage as severe, they may recommend surgery, like a hip replacement surgery, and will educate you about the process, which includes what you need to consider, how you can prepare for surgery, and what you can expect during recovery.

Our specialty-trained physical therapists work closely with our hip surgeons to provide each patient with a personalized treatment plan. Our expert therapists are dedicated to helping all patients return to their daily activities quickly and safely, combining specific activities and exercises in ensuring that patients can restore joint and muscular function, strength, and range of motion.

If you have concerns about your hip, schedule an appointment to talk through your options with one of our expertly trained hip surgeons by calling us at (318) 362-4411 or requesting an appointment online.

Jeffrey R. Counts, D.O.

Fellowship-Trained: Sports Medicine

Grant A. Dona, M.D.

Fellowship-Trained: Foot & Ankle

W. Patrick Ensminger, M.D.

Fellowship-Trained: Sports Medicine and Shoulder

Elliott B. Nipper, M.D.

Fellowship-Trained: Hip & Knee Joint Replacement

Conditions

Anatomy of the Hip Joint

The hip joint is one of the largest weight-bearing joints in the body. This ball-and-socket joint allows the leg to move and rotate while keeping the body stable and balanced. Let’s take a closer look at the main parts of the hip joint’s anatomy.



Femur Fractures

The thigh bone, also called the “femur”, is the largest and strongest bone in your body. A femur fracture is a crack or a break of this bone.



Hip Fracture

This is a break of the upper part of your femur. The femur is the long bone in your upper leg. At the top of the femur is the “head.” This is the ball that fits into your hip socket. A hip fracture may happen at the “neck” of the femur (the thin portion of bone under the head). Fractures may also happen below the neck.



Treatments

Hip Arthroscopy

This outpatient procedure is an examination of the inside of the hip joint. The surgeon uses miniature instruments and a small camera (called an arthroscope) to see inside the joint. Arthroscopy can be used to diagnose and treat problems of the joint.



Total Hip Replacement

During this procedure, your damaged hip joint is replaced with implants that recreate the ball and socket of a healthy hip. This can reduce pain and restore your hip function.