Hip

Hip Anatomy

The hip joint is a “ball and socket” joint. The “ball” is known anatomically as the femoral head; the “socket” is the part of the pelvis known as the acetabulum. Both the femoral head and the acetabulum are coated with articular cartilage. Like all joints, the hip has synovial or joint fluid, acting as a lubricant, which allows for smooth, painless movement within the hip joint.

The hip, like the shoulder, has a labrum: a ring of rubbery fibrocartilage around the rim of the acetabulum, which deepens the hip socket and acts as the suction seal of the hip joint. The intact labrum seals the lubricating fluid within the hip and contributes to stability of the joint. One of the most common causes of hip pain involves damage to the labrum, described most often as a labral tear. When the labrum is torn, the “suction seal” is broken, and the joint may lose its stability and lubrication. This can progress to loss of cartilage, or arthritis. Degenerative changes to the hip can also result in arthritis. Arthritis is the damage to the articular cartilage of the joint that lines the head of the femur and the acetabulum, or socket. The joint capsule is an envelope of ligaments that encloses the hip, and is also essential for stability. The hip also contains a ligament known as the ligamentum teres, which connects the femoral head to the acetabulum. Both the capsule and the ligamentum teres can be injured in an unstable hip.

Diagnosis of Hip Problems

• Diagnosis of hip injuries can be complex. Studies have shown that as many as 60% of patients requiring a hip arthroscopy were initially misdiagnosed. Hip pain may mimic many other conditions, including sciatica, spinal problems, muscle strains, and sports hernias.
• Obtaining the correct diagnosis is of paramount importance in directing appropriate treatment. A systematic approach to diagnosis may include several steps:
  • Specialized clinical exam by a hip specialist
  • Specific new X-ray views designed for viewing hip anatomy
  • Specialized MRI scans at a center specializing in pre-arthritic and arthritic hip conditions.
  • Ultrasound guided Diagnostic intra-articular hip injections can help confirm the diagnosis and intra-articular involvement
  • It is important to note that many patients are misdiagnosed despite having a physical exam, X-rays, and an MRI, because the studies were not the specific studies designed for pre-arthritic or early arthritic hip injuries.
  • Dr. Domb and his team at Hinsdale Orthopaedics use the most up-to-date methods in hip physical exam and imaging techniques and perform diagnostic injections under ultrasound guidance.

Articles:

• Clinical Examination of the Hip Joint in Athletes
• Hip and Pelvic Problems in Athletes
• MRI of Cartilage in the Athlete
• NBA Study of Hip Injuries
• Textbook chapter: Hip Physical Examination
• Clinical Examination of the hip joint in Athletes 2009
• Hip and Pelvic Problems in Athletes 2007

Publications by Dr. Domb on Hip Basics

• Clinical Examination of the hip joint in athletes 2009
• Hip and Pelvic problems in Athletes 2007
• Femoral Anteversion in the Hip comparison of measurements by Computed Tomography Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Physical Examination 2012

Ultrasound Guided Injections

Dr. Domb and his team are highly trained in ultrasound-guided injections. These procedures are performed in the office at the time of your visit. The ultrasound machine assists Dr. Domb and his Physician Assistants to safely place injectable medications into or around the joint. Hip injection options include:

Diagnostic injections Comprised of local anesthetic, designed to confirm or deny the intra-articular cause of your hip pain. The injection may take up to 30 minutes to work. It is considered a diagnostic procedure, not a form of treatment.

Cortisone A combination of steroid medication and local anesthetic to provide pain relief and decrease inflammation caused by an inflammatory process, muscle sprain or strain, intra-articular injury or arthritis. A patient can have a cortisone injection every 3-4 months to treat:

• Intra-articular injury
• Trochanteric bursitis
• Iliopsoas tendinosis
• Piriformis tendinosis

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is an injection of your own platelets and growth factors, similar to orthobiologics treatment, extracted from your blood. The blood draw and injection are done at the same office visit, an outpatient clinical procedure.

PRP has shown great promise in stimulating repair of body tissues including tendons, ligaments and cartilage. PRP mimics the body's innate response to an injury by stimulating platelet activation. The activation of platelets plays a dynamic role in soft tissue healing. Research shows that PRP is superior to other injections in the treatment of osteoarthritis and healing of chronic tendinitis.

In osteoarthritis, PRP can enhance the body's normal healing response in an acute manner for a chronic condition. This can result in the development of new collagen, a benefit that other injections are unable to offer.

In tendinitis, the growth factors in PRP can signal the body to initiate a healing response in the local injected tissues. Healing is the first step in injured tissues regenerating their strength and function. It has been used extensively in professional athletes who seek hurried return to play. Star athlete success stories include: Kobe Bryant (NBA), Tiger Woods (PGA tour), Alex Rodriquez (MLB), Hines Ward (NFL) and Rafael Nadal (ATP).

If you have an injury or condition involving a tendon, ligament, joint or osteoarthritis, PRP may be a nonsurgical option for you.

Indications (including but not limited to):

• Osteoarthritis (Intraarticular)
• Tendinosis & Tendinitis

Process

• 3 Injections spaced 1 week apart x 3 weeks
• Can have injection series every 6 months
• Day of Injection
  • Blood Draw
  • Centrifuge x 5 minutes
  • Ultrasound Guided Injection

• PRP and Tendinitis
• PRP and Hip Osteoarthritis
• PRP versus Viscosupplementation in Osteoarthritis
• PRP and Knee Arthritis

Orthobiologics

Orthobiologics is a form of regenerative medicine that utilizes the body’s natural healing mechanism to treat various conditions.

Orthobiologics are being used in regenerative medicine to renew and repair diseased or damaged tissues and have shown promising results in treatments of various orthopedic, cardiovascular, neuromuscular and autoimmune conditions.

Orthobiologics are present in all of us acting like a repair system for the body. However, with increased age sometimes the optimum amount of Orthobiologics are not delivered to the injured area. The goal of Orthobiologics is to amplify the natural repair system of the patient’s body.

Types of Orthobiologics

There are two major types of Orthobiologics embryonic Orthobiologics and adult Orthobiologics. Embryonic Orthobiologics (ESCs) are Orthobiologics derived from human embryos. They are pluripotent, which means they have the ability to develop into almost any of the various cell types of the body.

As the embryo develops and forms a baby, Orthobiologics are distributed throughout the body where they reside in specific pockets of each tissue, such as the bone marrow and blood. As we age, these cells function to renew old and worn out tissue cells. These are called adult Orthobiologics or somatic Orthobiologics. Like embryonic Orthobiologics, adult Orthobiologics can also replicate into more than one cell type, but their replication is restricted to a limited number of cell types.

Use of Orthobiologics in Orthopedics

The unique self-regeneration and differentiating ability of embryonic Orthobiologics can be used in regenerative medicine. These Orthobiologics can be derived from eggs collected during IVF procedures with informed consent from the patient. However, many questions have been raised on the ethics of destroying a potential human life for the treatment of another.

Adult Orthobiologics are most commonly obtained from the bone marrow, specifically the mesenchymal Orthobiologics, which have the ability to replicate into cells that form the musculoskeletal system such as tendons, ligaments, and articular cartilage. They can be obtained from the iliac crest of the pelvic bone by inserting a needle and extracting the Orthobiologics from the bone marrow.

Currently, Orthobiologics is used to treat various degenerative conditions of the shoulder, knees, hips, and spine. They are also being used in the treatment of various soft tissue (muscle, ligaments and tendons) as well as bone-related injuries.

Who is a Good Candidate for a Orthobiologics Procedure?

You may be a good candidate for Orthobiologics therapy if you have been suffering from joint pain and want to improve your quality of life while avoiding complications related to invasive surgical procedures.

Preparing for the Procedure

• It is important that you stop taking any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) at least two weeks before your procedure.
• Preparing for a Orthobiologics procedure is relatively easy and your doctor will give you specific instructions depending on your condition.

Orthobiologics procedure

The procedure begins with your doctor extracting Orthobiologics from your own bone marrow. Bone marrow is usually aspirated from your hip region. Your doctor will first clean and numb your hip area. A needle is then introduced into an area of your pelvic bone known as the iliac crest. Bone marrow is then aspirated using a special syringe and the sample obtained is sent to the laboratory. In the laboratory, the aspirate is spun in a machine for 10 to 15 minutes and a concentrated Orthobiologics sample is separated.

Your doctor then cleans and numbs your affected area to be treated and then, under the guidance of special x-rays, injects the Orthobiologics into the diseased region. The whole procedure usually takes less than one hour and you may return home on the same day of the procedure.

Post-Operative Care

• You will most likely be able to return to work the next day following your procedure.
• You will need to take it easy and avoid any load bearing activities for at least two weeks following your procedure.
• You will need to refrain from taking non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS) for a while as this can affect the healing process of your body.

Advantages & Disadvantages

• Orthobiologics therapy is a relatively simple procedure that avoids the complications associated with invasive surgical procedures.
• As Orthobiologics therapy uses the cells derived from your own body it reduces the chances of an immune rejection.

Disadvantages

• The disadvantage of adult Orthobiologics therapy is lack of data about its long-term effects as it is a newer evolving therapy.

Risks and Complications

Orthobiologics therapy is generally considered a safe procedure with minimal complications, however, as with any medical procedure, complications can occur.

Some risks factors related to Orthobiologics therapy include infection as the Orthobiologics may become contaminated with bacteria, viruses or other pathogens that may cause disease during the preparation process.

The procedure to either remove or inject the cells also has the risk of introducing an infection to the damaged tissue into which they are injected. Rarely, an immune reaction may occur from injected Orthobiologics.