Orange County Hip Pain & Injury Doctor
Hip pain deserves specialized care. Our fellowship-trained orthopaedic specialists provide an accurate diagnosis and a treatment plan tailored to your condition.
Fellowship-Trained Orthopaedic Specialists
Trusted by Athletes at Every Level
Image-Guided Diagnostics and Surgical Precision
Dr. Tracey Didinger, MD
Accurate Diagnosis
Advanced imaging pinpoints the underlying cause.
Targeted Nonsurgical Care
Injections, therapy, and regenerative treatments for joint pain.
Surgical Repair When Needed
Arthroscopic techniques restore joint stability and function.
Our Los Alamitos Office
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4281 Katella Ave, Ste 120
Los Alamitos, CA 90720 - (562) 732-4578
- Mon-Fri 8am to 5pm
Advanced Orthopaedic Care
4281 Katella Ave Ste 120,
Los Alamitos, CA 90720
Expert Hip Pain & Injury Care in Orange County
Maybe it’s stiffness in the hip that makes getting out of a chair feel like a struggle, or a deep ache in the groin that won’t settle after activity.
These are the kinds of symptoms that bring patients across Orange County to Advanced Orthopaedic Care.
Every evaluation starts with a thorough physical exam and a full review of your symptoms, history, and imaging.
Your specialist walks you through a clear diagnosis and a treatment plan that fits your condition and your goals.
When Should You See a Doctor for Hip Pain?
Some hip soreness fades with a day or two of rest. But certain symptoms are your body’s way of flagging something that needs a closer look.
Many minor strains improve within days to weeks. Pain that lasts beyond four to six weeks may warrant imaging and a closer evaluation.
See an Orange County hip pain doctor if you’re dealing with any of the following:
Pain in the groin, outer hip, or buttock that doesn't go away
Pain when walking, climbing stairs, or standing up from a seat
Stiffness that limits your range of motion
A clicking, catching, or locking feeling in the joint
A sense that the hip might give out
Difficulty putting weight on the leg or lying on that side
Pain after sports or physical activity that keeps coming back
These symptoms don’t always mean surgery is needed.
But they do mean it’s worth getting evaluated by a hip pain specialist in Orange County before the condition gets harder to treat.
How Our Hip Specialists Diagnose Joint Conditions
Symptom and History Review
Your specialist asks about when the pain started, what movements trigger it, and how the hip behaves during ordinary tasks like walking, sitting, or sleeping. Prior treatments are reviewed as well.
Clinical Hip Exam
Range of motion testing, joint stability checks, gait assessment, tenderness palpation, and strength comparisons help identify which structure inside the joint is causing trouble.
Diagnostic Imaging Review
X-rays show bony anatomy, joint spacing, and signs of degeneration. An MRI arthrogram may be recommended when a labral tear is suspected, since it improves diagnostic accuracy.
Customized Treatment Plan
You leave with a confirmed diagnosis, a step-by-step plan, and a clear recovery timeline. Your doctor adjusts the approach based on your age, activity level, and treatment goals.
Common Hip Conditions We Treat
Hip pain can come from a torn labrum, worn cartilage, an inflamed bursa, or a combination of factors.
Our specialists diagnose and treat a wide range of hip conditions in Orange County patients.
Labral and Soft Tissue Injuries
Labral and Soft Tissue Injuries
Degenerative and Arthritic Conditions
Degenerative and Arthritic Conditions
Overuse and Structural Conditions
Overuse and Structural Conditions Hip Injuries in Athletes and Active Adults
Patients who run, train, compete, or stay physically active place repeated stress on the hip joint over time.
Hip Labral Tears
A labral tear often presents with groin pain, a catching or clicking sensation, and a hip that feels unstable or may “give out” during activity. It’s one of the more common hip injuries treated at our Orange County practice.
Hip Impingement (FAI)
Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) happens when the ball of the hip pinches against the socket. Over time, the friction can damage the labrum and cartilage, causing pain, stiffness, and limited motion.
Cartilage Damage
Cartilage has a limited capacity to heal on its own. When left untreated, a cartilage injury can progress and lead to longer-term joint deterioration and reduced mobility.
Chronic Sports-Related Hip Pain
Repetitive stress from running, jumping, or cutting movements wears down the hip over time. Early treatment helps protect long-term joint function and keeps patients active.
Bursitis and Tendon Conditions
Trochanteric bursitis and hip tendinitis are common in runners, cyclists, and court sport athletes. Both respond well to targeted rehabilitation and appropriate intervention.
Personalized Treatment Options for Hip Pain
Each treatment plan reflects your specific diagnosis, activity goals, and current hip function. Individual outcomes depend on age, activity level, extent of damage, and how closely you stick with rehab.
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Hip Evaluation and Imaging
Your specialist reviews your symptoms, conducts a physical exam, and orders appropriate imaging to get an accurate picture of the joint. - Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Physical therapy builds strength around the hip, restores range of motion, and supports recovery from both injury and surgery.
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Hip Arthroscopy
A minimally invasive procedure that lets your surgeon examine and treat the inside of the hip through small incisions, with a faster recovery profile than open surgery. -
Labral Repair
Surgical repair restores the torn labrum and helps stabilize the joint. A structured rehabilitation program is followed to restore strength and motion. -
Cartilage Restoration
Several techniques exist, including microfracture, autologous chondrocyte implantation, and osteochondral grafts. Candidacy is selective and depends on the size and location of the cartilage damage along with individual patient factors. -
Hip Replacement and Reconstructive Surgery
When other options aren't sufficient, our surgeons perform advanced hip replacement and reconstructive procedures at leading affiliated hospitals and surgical centers across Southern California.
Non-Surgical and Advanced Orthopaedic Care
Many hip conditions respond well to non-surgical care, and that’s the starting point for every patient we see.
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Cortisone Injections
Targeted corticosteroid injections reduce joint inflammation directly at the source. Many patients get relief that supports rehab and daily function. -
Image-Guided Joint Injections
Using ultrasound or fluoroscopy, your specialist places injections with greater accuracy. This guidance leads to more consistent placement and better results. -
Radiofrequency Ablation
This procedure eases chronic pain by interrupting pain signals from nerves near the hip, though it doesn't repair structural damage. It's an option for patients who haven't found relief from injections alone. -
Regenerative Treatments
Regenerative options like PRP or some cell-based therapies may help certain patients, though the evidence and availability vary by condition. We review each case individually and decide what treatment is best suited for the patient.
Why Choose Advanced Orthopaedic Care?
Orange County has many orthopaedic providers. Direct access to fellowship-trained specialists with focused expertise in your specific condition is a different level of care.
Here’s what Advanced Orthopaedic Care offers:
- Fellowship-trained specialists in orthopaedic surgery and sports medicine
- Advanced surgical technology, including navigation or intraoperative imaging for selected cases
- Complete musculoskeletal care under one roof, from evaluation through recovery
- Clear diagnoses, especially for complex cases or when prior treatment hasn’t helped
- Treatment plans that support your goals, activity level, and recovery timeline
- Surgical care performed at leading affiliated hospitals and surgical centers across Southern California
We work especially well with patients who want a specialist who takes time to understand their full condition.
Hear From Our Patients
FAQs About Orange County Hip Pain & Injury Doctor
Can hip pain be treated without surgery?
Yes, in many cases. Physical therapy, injections, and regenerative options address many hip conditions, with surgery considered only when clinically necessary.
How long does recovery take after a hip injury?
A mild strain may resolve in a few weeks. Recovery varies by procedure and patient. After hip arthroscopy or labral repair, a full return to sport can take four to nine months for some athletes.
Do you treat hip pain in younger and active patients?
Yes. Labral tears, impingement, and early-onset arthritis are common in athletes and active adults in their 20s, 30s, and 40s.
Can hip problems contribute to pain elsewhere in the body?
Yes. Altered gait from hip pain adds strain to the lower back, knee, and opposite leg over time.
Schedule a Hip Pain Evaluation in Orange County
Hip pain that persists, limits movement, or keeps returning deserves a proper evaluation.
Advanced Orthopaedic Care connects patients across Orange County with fellowship-trained orthopaedic specialists who take time to get the diagnosis right.
Tell us what you’re experiencing. We’ll match you with the Orange County hip pain doctor who knows what’s best for you.