Sometimes it is necessary to find a way to differentiate pain radiating from the hip joint and pain radiating from the lower abdomen. An MRI can reveal fraying or tears of the cartilage and labrum. An X-ray can reveal an excess of bone on the femoral head or neck and the acetabular rim. Medical imaging, including X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), is crucial in diagnosing hip pain. 'What is causing my hip pain?' Assessing Hip Abnormalities The doctor will also check the internal and external rotation of the patient’s hips, look for leg length discrepancies, test muscle strength in the hip, and test range of motion in the back. Next, the range of motion of a patient’s hip will be examined to learn whether the problem causing hip pain is coming from the spine, if there is bursitis in the great trochanter, or if iliotibial band tightness is present. The Physical Hip Examĭuring the physical examination, performed by a Service physician, a patient’s gait, or the way a patient walks, will be evaluated. The skilled staff members at the Hip Preservation Service help patients and families understand their hip pain and all of the treatment options available. Delays in diagnosis add to medical cost and may considerably effect treatment and ultimate patient outcome. Without an official reading by an experienced radiologist, subtle X-ray findings (e.g., tears, infections, systematic diseases, tumors, etc.) may remain undetected until such time as an abnormality has progressed to the point where a non-imaging specialist may identify it. Both a physical examination and radiological examinations are conducted to diagnose hip joint pain. The advanced hip pain tests available at HSS assist our specialists in making the right diagnosis and pursuing the right treatment.

Specialization and unmatched experience are the hallmarks of the Hip Preservation Service medical staff. The right hip pain diagnosis is essential to obtaining the right care. 'The right imaging and analysis is vital to determining a proper hip pain treatment.'

Normal hip xray with pain and weakness