York, ME (207) 363 3490 | Portsmouth, NH (603) 431 1121

20Hip Care
10Hip-Conditions and Injuries
Cartilage Injury
Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI)
Gluteal Tears
Hamstring Tears
Hip Instability
Deep Gluteal Space Syndrome
Labral Tears
Psoas Impingement (Internal Snapping Hip)
PVNS
Trochanteric Bursitis
10Hip-Treatment and Surgeries
Acetabuloplasty
Chondroplasty
Femoroplasty
Gluteal Repair
Labral Debridement
Labral Reconstruction
Labral Repair
Nanofracture
Psoas Release
Trochanteric Bursa Debridement
33Knee Care
13Knee Conditions and Injuries
ACL Tear
Cartilage Injury
Discoid Meniscus
Lateral Meniscus Tear
LCL Injury
MCL Injury
Medial Meniscus Tear
Osteoarthritis
Osteochondritis Dessicans
Patellar Instability
Patellofemoral Chondromalacia
Posterolateral Corner Injury
Trochlear Dysplasia
20Knee Treatment and Surgeries
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Reconstruction
Cartilage Restoration Surgery – Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI-Carticel)
Cartilage Restoration Surgery – Donor Graft
Collagen Meniscal Implant (CMI)
Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) Reconstruction
Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) Reconstruction
Meniscus Repair
Meniscus Root Repair
Meniscal Transplant
Medial Patellofemoral Ligament (MPFL) Reconstruction
Nanofracture
Osteochondral Allograft Transfer
Osteochondral Autograft Transfer (OATS)
Partial Knee Replacement (MAKO)
Partial Meniscectomy
Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Reconstruction
Posterolateral Corner (PLC) Surgery
Tibial Tubercle Osteotomy
Total Knee Replacement (MAKO)
Trochleoplasty
20Shoulder Care
10Shoulder-Conditions and Injuries
AC Joint Injuries
Arthritis
Biceps Tendon Injuries
Calcific Tendinitis
Clavicle Fractures
Frozen Shoulder
Labral and SLAP Tears
Rotator Cuff Injuries
Shoulder Dislocation/Instability
Subacromial Impingement/Busitis
10Shoulder-Treatment and Surgeries
A-C Joint Stabilization
Biceps Tenodesis
Clavicle Fracture Fixation
Pectoralis Major Repair
Rotator Cuff Repair
Shoulder Instability Surgery – Bankart Repair
Shoulder Instability Surgery – Latarjet Procedure
Subacromial Decompression and Acromioplasty
Superior Capsular Reconstruction
Total Shoulder Replacement

HIP INSTABILITY

 The hip is a very stable joint. The hip socket is deep, the labrum that surrounds the socket creates a suction seal to keep the ball in place, and the ligaments that surround the hip joint (capsule) are extremely strong.   Therefore, instability of the hip is a relatively rare condition. The most common causes of hip instability include traumatic injury (e.g. car accident or fall from height), ligamentous laxity (loose joints), and hip dysplasia (a bony abnormality). Instability refers to abnormal motion in the joint and may even lead to hip dislocation in which the ball completely moves out of the socket.

Symptoms

  • A sense that the hip will dislocate when placing weight on the leg
  • Clicking or shifting of the hip during activities such as walking or sports
  • The ability to voluntarily bring the hip out of joint and place it back into joint

 Diagnosis And Treatment

Dr. Welch considers each patient’s symptoms, as well as a detailed physical examination, x-rays, and usually an MRI of the hip to make the diagnosis of hip instability.

In patients with limited damage in the hip, non-surgical treatment with physical therapy is usually very helpful. The physical therapy program focuses on strengthening core and hip muscles around the hip joint. Non-surgical treatment also includes activity modification, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and on occasion, steroid or anesthetic injections. In those patients with recurrent episodes of instability or with damage in the hip (e.g. a torn labrum), surgical intervention may be the best option.