Hip Preservation

Pain from an injured or diseased hip can make it challenging to participate in the activities you love — from running a half-marathon to sitting in a chair and enjoying a movie. But you don’t have to suffer or settle for being sidelined. MultiCare’s Hip Preservation Program can restore function to your hips so you can lead the life you want.

Currently, our hip preservation program is only available in the Puget Sound region at MultiCare Orthopedics & Sports Medicine in Auburn and Covington.

How hip preservation can help

A hip preservation specialist provides comprehensive diagnosis and treatment for pre-arthritic hip pain. The focus is on repairing and reshaping a patient’s own hip joint through a variety of methods:

• Physical therapy
• Medications
• Minimally invasive surgery, such as hip arthroscopy
• Realignment surgery

The goals of hip preservation are to:

• Significantly reduce hip pain
• Facilitate participation in activities and sports — without restriction
• Increase range of motion and stability
• Maintain and protect the current hip joint
• Prevent or reduce the need for future hip replacement

Hip preservation may be appropriate for you if you are between the ages of 15 and 50 and want to maintain an active lifestyle. During your initial appointment, our hip preservation specialist will work with you to understand the source of your pain and determine if you are a good candidate for this treatment approach.

Conditions treated

MultiCare’s Hip Preservation Program treats a variety of conditions, such as:

• Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI)
• Femoral malrotation
• Hip labral tears
• Hip dysplasia
• Hip tendon injuries

Procedures offered

Linnea Welton, MD, our hip preservation specialist, uses a minimally invasive approach to reduce scarring and help you get back on your feet as soon as possible. Common procedures performed include:

• Hip arthroscopy without a groin traction post
• Hip labral repair and reconstruction
• Re-contouring of the femur and acetabulum (as it relates to hip impingement)
• Derotational femoral osteotomy (DRO)
• Periacetabular osteotomy (PAO)

A safer approach to hip arthroscopy

Dr. Welton is one of a few surgeons in the United States who performs hip arthroscopy without placing a padded post in the groin. Eliminating this post can lead to fewer complications. She is also able to operate on both hips simultaneously, so patients may avoid multiple surgeries.

What to expect

During an initial visit, you’ll have an in-depth discussion with Dr. Welton about your hip pain, what treatments you have tried and how well they have worked. She will then perform a thorough physical exam of your hips, pelvis and lower spine, taking a look at:

• Gait (the way you walk)
• Neurologic function (your reflexes, for example)
• Range of motion
• Muscle strength

After a detailed health history and the physical exam, she will perform imaging tests, such as X-rays, to form a diagnosis and determine if you are a good candidate for hip preservation.

A benefit of MultiCare’s Hip Preservation Program is that you won’t need to see multiple doctors to find relief. Dr. Welton performs complex hip arthroscopy and realignment procedures involving the pelvis and femur.

Each patient is unique, so treatment plans are customized to fit individual needs. Our goal is to collaborate with you to create a long-term, effective approach that alleviates your hip pain and gets you back to active living.

Informational Webinar with Dr. Linnea Welton