Why are we still Operating on Hips solely based on MRI? Hip Labrum Surgery Mania Revisited…

hip labrum surgery alternative

 Before you allow someone to decide on surgery based on an MRI finding…you might want to get a good exam and try a hip labrum surgery alternative first.   A study just presented at the AOSSM conference demonstrates what we’ve been saying for years-operating or obsessing on MRI findings is a bad idea. Many patients these days often see a surgeon who spends more time looking at the MRI than performing an examination. This most recent study found that a whopping 73% of patients without hip pain (n=45) had abnormal hip MRI findings. Patients over the age of 35 were more likely to have abnormalities, showing a 13.7 times greater likelihood of having cartilage defects and 16.7 times greater chance of having a bone cyst! I’ve blogged before that we’ve seen many patients with hip pain who were told that they needed a hip replacement who later turned out to have no hip problems (their “hip pain” went away when we treated the patients low back). I’ve also blogged on what we call “hip labrum mania”, this is when patients are told they have a labral tear on MRI and sign up for a big surgery to reshape the hip socket. The upshot? If the surgeon spends more of his time with hands on the MRI than hands on the patient in the examination, find a new surgeon.

Learn More About Regenexx® Procedures
Request a digital booklet and more information to learn about alternatives to orthopedic surgery and the Regenexx patient experience.
We do not sell, or share your information to third party vendors. By submitting the form you agree that you've read and consent to our Privacy Policy.
Chris Centeno, MD is a specialist in regenerative medicine and the new field of Interventional Orthopedics. Centeno pioneered orthopedic stem cell procedures in 2005 and is responsible for a large amount of the published research on stem cell use for orthopedic applications. View Profile

If you have questions or comments about this blog post, please email us at [email protected]

NOTE: This blog post provides general information to help the reader better understand regenerative medicine, musculoskeletal health, and related subjects. All content provided in this blog, website, or any linked materials, including text, graphics, images, patient profiles, outcomes, and information, are not intended and should not be considered or used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please always consult with a professional and certified healthcare provider to discuss if a treatment is right for you.

TO TOP