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Hip preservation
- No.1 in London for private orthopaedic care
- Rated as ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’ by 97% of our orthopaedic patients
- Appointment confirmation within 24 hours
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Hip preservation at HCA UK
Why choose us?
With 97% of patients happy to recommend us, you can feel reassured you’re in expert hands. Our team comprises orthopaedic consultants across 10 different fields, and our hip specialists offer a range of treatments to address various sources of hip pain. Using advanced imaging technology, we provide quick and accurate diagnosis, helping you move forward with a treatment plan tailored entirely to your needs.
Hip preservation is a holistic approach to treating non-arthritic hip pain. It’s a highly specialised sub-specialism of orthopaedic hip surgery, which involves repairing your hip rather than replacing it.
Following a comprehensive clinical evaluation, including advanced imaging, we’ll work with you to come up with a fully personalised treatment plan to preserve your hip, alleviate pain, restore function and prevent long-term damage.
Following a comprehensive clinical evaluation, including advanced imaging, we’ll work with you to come up with a fully personalised treatment plan to preserve your hip, alleviate pain, restore function and prevent long-term damage.
If you’re under the age of 45, with an active lifestyle, or an athlete, and you’re experiencing hip pain that hasn’t responded to conservative treatments, such as physiotherapy, then you’re suitable for hip preservation treatment.
The patients we see are often diagnosed with hip dysplasia or femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), which can often be overlooked or misdiagnosed.
Hip preservation can involve a range of approaches. It starts with hip arthroscopy, a minimally invasive procedure, where your surgeon will make two to three small incisions, through which they’ll introduce a camera and instruments to diagnose and treat the condition. Other treatments include - but aren't limited to - periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) or femoral osteotomy, which may be needed to address abnormalities of the position and direction of the hip joint.
Your consultant will talk to you about your situation and work with you to come up with a treatment plan you’re completely comfortable with.
Absolutely. If you’re a younger adult whose hip pain is affecting your daily life, we can treat your structural hip issues and help you back to pain-free mobility and the active lifestyle you enjoyed.
No.1
in London for private orthopaedic care
10
specialist orthopaedic fields offering personalised treatment
97%
of our patients are likely to recommend us to family and friends
Fast access to specialists
appointments bookable online or by phone
Expert orthopaedic treatments
from specialist hip and pelvis consultants
State-of-the-art diagnostics
with results in as little as 48 hours
Hip preservation
What to expect
We understand that mobility issues can be worrying, which is why our orthopaedic hip specialists take the time to understand your concerns and tailor a treatment plan just for you. Our expert teams will support you at every stage of your journey and your recovery.
01
Initial consultation
Whether you’ve been referred by your GP or have arranged a consultation directly, during your first appointment, your orthopaedic specialist will assess your symptoms. They’ll also discuss your general health and medical history with you.
02
Imaging and diagnoses
Your orthopaedic consultant will arrange scans and tests to confirm a diagnosis. If suitable, physiotherapy may be recommended to help relieve pain and regain your mobility.
03
Hip preservation procedure
If pain and mobility issues persist despite physiotherapy, your consultant may suggest minimally invasive hip preservation surgery to help restore function and delay the need for a hip replacement.
04
Recovery and rehabilitation
After your hip preservation procedure, you’ll follow a tailored physiotherapy plan to support your healing and strengthen your movement. Your care team will monitor your recovery and be there to support you at every step.
Locations
Where can I have hip preservation treatment?
The London Hip Unit
The Princess Grace Hospital 42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
The Wellington Hospital
Wellington Place St John's Wood NW8 9LE London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road SW1W 8RH London
The Wilmslow Hospital
52-54 Alderley Road Wilmslow SK9 1NY Cheshire
Accessing private healthcare
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll offer you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what treatments you’re paying for.
Find out more
Private hip preservation FAQs
Early signs may include groin pain, clicking or catching in the hip, reduced range of motion or discomfort during sports or prolonged sitting.
While typically aimed at younger patients, suitability depends on the condition of your hip and source of pain rather than age alone. Your consultant will assess your individual case.
Yes, depending on the procedure and your job or your level of sporting activity. Most people with a desk job can return to work in around six weeks. A gradual return to full activity with physiotherapy support is recommended.
Preservation aims to repair and protect the natural joint, often through minimally invasive techniques, whereas replacement involves removing and replacing the joint with an artificial one.
Yes, it is as it means intervening at a time earlier in life when the hip pain may be limiting your quality of life. If the underlying hip condition can be repaired, you will enjoy a more active life with less pain during your younger years.
Yes, we recommend you start with more conservative treatments before surgical options are considered. We see patients who have tried physiotherapy or pain medications. If these measures do not have the desired impact, we consider hip preservation surgery once imaging and a diagnosis of the pain has been completed.
The level of risk will depend on the treatment plan. For example, a hip arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure and is therefore considered a low-risk operation. More major treatments, such as osteotomies, which involve cutting bone, can carry more risks. Your consultant will discuss all the risks with you so you can make an informed decision.
Our patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
How game-changing hip surgery helped Joanna get back to her best
For Joanna, a competitive rower in the Masters division, the sport is more than a passion – it's a way of life. At 60 years old, Joanna’s career spans 20 years, and has been marked by intense training sessions, competitive races, and unwavering determination. However, when a nagging pain in her right hip developed into something altogether more debilitating, it threatened to put the brakes on her rowing.
“All of the staff at The London Hip Unit are friendly and helpful from the moment you arrive at reception to the moment you leave the building.”
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.