Orthobiologics for Hip Pain: When to Consider It Instead of Surgery
Hip pain is one of those conditions that tends to escalate quietly — manageable at first, then increasingly limiting, until the activities and routines that define your quality of life start disappearing one by one. When patients arrive at Albano Clinic with hip pain, they’re often facing a surgical recommendation they’re not sure about. That hesitation is frequently well-founded.
Hip Conditions We Treat
Hip osteoarthritis. Cartilage degeneration in the hip joint is one of the most common indications for orthobiologic treatment. PRP and bone marrow concentrate reduce joint inflammation, support cartilage health, and improve mobility — often significantly, particularly in patients with moderate rather than end-stage disease.
Labral tears. The hip labrum is a cartilage ring that deepens the socket and stabilizes the joint. Tears cause pain, clicking, and a catching sensation with movement. Hip arthroscopy is commonly recommended — but it’s a relatively new procedure, and Dr. Albano has seen a meaningful number of patients whose pain worsened after surgical intervention. Orthobiologic treatment is a less permanent first step worth exploring. Dr. Albano has personal experience here: he’s received stem cell injections to his own hip labrum and maintains unrestricted high-intensity activity including hockey, skiing, and cycling.
Bursitis. Trochanteric bursitis — inflammation of the fluid sacs cushioning the outer hip — responds well to targeted PRP injection, reducing inflammation without the cartilage-thinning effects of repeated cortisone.
Gluteal, adductor, and hamstring tendinopathy. Tendon degeneration around the hip is common in active adults and responds well to PRP.
Avascular necrosis (AVN). AVN occurs when bone tissue dies due to loss of blood supply — most often in the femoral head. Early-stage AVN is the window where orthobiologics show the most promise, potentially halting progression before collapse occurs. Advanced AVN with structural failure is a surgical situation, but early intervention with bone marrow concentrate offers a meaningful non-surgical path.
A Note on Surgical Timing
Hip replacement is an appropriate intervention for severe, end-stage osteoarthritis with bone-on-bone contact and significant functional limitation. But many patients being referred for hip surgery are not at that stage. If your pain is significant but your imaging shows preserved joint space and ongoing tissue integrity, regenerative treatment is worth a serious conversation before committing to irreversible structural intervention.
Contact us to learn more.