Hip Arthroscopy Specialist Focusing on Joint Preservation in Arlington, VA
At Nirschl Orthopaedic Center in Arlington, Virginia, we understand the intricacies of hip conditions – and we effectively treat them. Our hip arthroscopy specialist, Derek H. Ochiai, M.D., adheres to a conservative treatment philosophy, utilizing both nonsurgical and minimally invasive surgical techniques to help his patients return to their active lifestyles quickly and safely.
With an emphasis on hip preservation, Dr. Ochiai has been providing cutting-edge treatments, including hip arthroscopies, since 2003. In Dr. Ochiai’s view, a natural hip joint is always preferable to a mechanical hip replacement, if possible. The goals of hip preservation are to relieve pain, improve function and prevent future injuries while maintaining the natural hip anatomy.
Dr. Ochiai has earned national recognition for his work as a hip arthroscopy specialist. He is skilled and experienced in performing minimally invasive surgical procedures, which offer several benefits over open surgery, including smaller incisions, minimal scarring and a faster recovery. Utilizing a tiny fiber-optic camera and specialized surgical instruments, Dr. Ochiai treats many painful hip conditions, including:
Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI) Syndrome
FAI occurs when excess bony tissue forms on one or both of the bones that form the hip joint, causing the bones to fit together imperfectly. As a result, the bones may grind against each other during movement, creating friction that eventually damages the hip joint.
Hip Labral Tears
A hip labral tear is an injury to the labrum, a ring of cartilage that surrounds the hip joint socket (acetabulum). Serving as a cushioning seal that holds the top of the thigh bone (femoral head) firmly in the acetabulum, the labrum may tear suddenly through trauma or gradually through repetitive motions that involve twisting or pivoting the hip.
Greater Trochanteric Bursitis
A common cause of hip pain, greater trochanteric bursitis is an inflammation of the bursa (fluid-filled sac) located near the outside point of the hip (greater trochanter). Like the other bursae located near joints throughout the body, the trochanteric bursa can become irritated and inflamed if the nearby joint is injured or overused.
Snapping Hip Syndrome
Snapping hip is a condition that causes a snapping sensation or popping sound in the hip during certain movements, such as walking or rising from a seated position. These effects occur as an overly tight muscle or tendon (strong band of tissue that connects muscle to bone) passes over a bony protrusion in the hip. In most cases, snapping hip is more annoying than painful, but if left untreated it may lead to the development of a more serious condition, such as hip bursitis.
Consult With Our Hip Arthroscopy Specialist
If you’re experiencing hip pain or mobility issues, you may want to explore hip preservation. We encourage you to set up a consultation with Dr. Ochiai at our state-of-the-art orthopedic center in Arlington, VA. Contact us today.