Knee
Ligament injuries (ACL), meniscus tears, cartilage damage, kneecap instability and arthritis — from non-operative care to replacement.
Hip preservation & hip arthroscopy
Hip pain and hip injuries
Impingement (FAI), labral tears, dysplasia, gluteal tendon tears and arthritis. The hip is Dr. Lázaro's sub-specialty.
Overview
Your hip carries your weight with every step and lets you walk, run, squat and pivot. When something goes wrong, pain may be felt in the groin, the side of the hip, the buttock or even down the thigh toward the knee, which can make it hard to tell where it is coming from.
Many hip problems in young, active people — such as impingement or a labral tear — can be treated early to relieve pain and protect the joint. For people with advanced wear, a hip replacement can restore the mobility needed to enjoy daily life.
The hip is our sub-specialty
Dr. Lázaro focuses on hip preservation and hip arthroscopy: treatments that aim to correct the underlying problem and protect your own joint. He also performs total hip replacement when it is the best option.
Common conditions we treat
Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI)
Happens when the shape of the ball (femoral head) or the socket (acetabulum) makes the bones rub together as you move your leg. Over time, that contact can damage the labrum and cartilage.
Labral tears
The labrum is a ring of cartilage that seals and stabilizes the hip. A tear can cause groin pain, clicking or a feeling that the hip catches or locks.
Hip dysplasia
The hip socket is shallow and does not fully cover the ball, which overloads the cartilage and labrum. It is sometimes discovered in the teens or young adulthood.
Gluteal (abductor) tendon tears
The gluteus medius and minimus tendons on the side of the hip can become inflamed or tear. They cause pain when lying on that side, climbing stairs, or a limp when walking.
Cartilage injury
The cartilage lining the joint can be damaged by impingement, dysplasia or trauma. Because it does not heal well on its own, addressing it early helps protect the hip.
Early arthritis
The first stage of cartilage wear. It causes stiffness and activity-related pain, and it can often be managed without surgery.
Snapping hip
A snap you feel or hear when moving the hip, caused by a tendon sliding over bone. It is often painless, but if it hurts it deserves an evaluation.
Hamstring injuries
The muscles at the back of the thigh can strain, or their tendon can pull off the pelvic bone, especially in sprinting sports or after a fall.
Advanced hip arthritis
When cartilage is badly worn, pain and stiffness limit walking, sleeping and putting on shoes. In these cases, hip replacement is considered.
Symptoms that deserve an evaluation
- Pain in the groin or the front of the hip
- Pain on the side of the hip, especially when lying on that side
- Clicking, catching or a feeling that the hip locks
- Stiffness or less motion when putting on socks or shoes
- Pain with prolonged sitting, climbing stairs or getting out of the car
- Limping or weakness when walking
- Pain in the buttock or back of the thigh after exercise
Treatment options
Every plan is individual. Whenever appropriate, we start with the least invasive treatment and only recommend surgery when it can truly help you.
Step 1 · Non-operative
Non-operative treatment
For many patients, the first step is to calm inflammation and improve hip strength and mechanics.
- Targeted physical therapyCore and gluteal strengthening, plus adjustments to how you move.
- Activity modificationTemporary changes to sport or exercise so the hip can settle down.
- MedicationAnti-inflammatories or other medication when appropriate for you.
- Image-guided injectionsTo relieve pain and, at the same time, help confirm where it is coming from.
- Biologic therapiesOptions such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in selected cases.
Step 2 · Joint preservation
Hip preservation surgery
The goal is to correct the cause of the problem and protect your natural joint.
- Hip arthroscopyMinimally invasive, camera-guided surgery to treat impingement, repair the labrum and address cartilage injuries.
- Labral repair or reconstructionAims to restore the natural seal that stabilizes the hip.
- Gluteal and hamstring tendon repairEndoscopic or open, depending on the type of tear.
- Periacetabular osteotomy (PAO)For dysplasia, options may include reorienting the hip socket so it better covers the ball.
Step 3 · Joint replacement
Hip replacement
When arthritis is advanced and other options no longer help.
- Total hip replacementThe worn surfaces are replaced with implants to relieve pain and restore mobility.
When to see an orthopedic specialist
- Your hip pain has lasted more than a few weeks or keeps coming back
- Pain does not improve with rest, ice or over-the-counter medication
- Your hip catches, locks or gives way
- Pain keeps you from training, playing your sport or sleeping well
- You were told you have dysplasia, impingement or arthritis and want to know your options
- You fell or were hit and cannot put weight on the leg (in that case, seek emergency care)
Frequently asked questions
What is hip preservation?
It is an approach that treats hip problems — such as impingement, a labral tear or dysplasia — before advanced wear develops, with the goal of relieving pain and protecting your natural joint. It includes non-operative care and procedures such as hip arthroscopy.
How do I know if my pain comes from my hip or my back?
It is not always easy to tell, because low-back pain can be felt in the hip and vice versa. Pain from the hip joint itself is usually felt in the groin. A detailed physical exam, imaging and sometimes a diagnostic injection help pinpoint the source.
Do all labral tears need surgery?
No. Many patients improve with physical therapy, activity changes and, in some cases, injections. Surgery is considered when symptoms persist despite conservative care or when a bone-shape problem keeps causing damage.
What is hip arthroscopy?
It is minimally invasive surgery that uses a camera and small instruments through small incisions to see and treat the inside of the hip — for example, repairing the labrum and correcting impingement. Your doctor will explain whether you are a candidate and what recovery would look like.
Am I too young for a hip replacement?
There is no fixed age. The decision depends on how worn the joint is, how much pain limits your life and what other options remain. In younger people with little arthritis, preserving the hip is often the priority.
What imaging should I bring to my first visit?
If you already have hip X-rays or an MRI, bring them along with the report. If not, no worries: Dr. Lázaro will let you know which studies are needed after examining you.
This content is educational and does not replace a medical evaluation. Every case is different: diagnosis and treatment are determined during your visit.
Other areas we treat
Shoulder
Rotator cuff and labral tears, instability and dislocations, frozen shoulder and arthritis — with options from therapy to arthroscopic surgery.
Fractures
Hip, knee, shoulder, collarbone, elbow, wrist and ankle fractures and stress fractures in athletes, with non-operative care or surgical fixation (ORIF).
Ready to move without pain again?
New patients are welcome. Book online, call us, or message us on WhatsApp — we reply during office hours.