06/06/2025
🦴 Aspen Lecture Recap: Diagnosing and Managing Hip Pain
We were excited to welcome Dr. Ali Noorzad for our latest Aspen Lecture Series presentation: “Hips Don’t Lie.” His lecture began with an overview of hip anatomy and common pathologies then shifted focus to one of the most critical aspects of care: determining where hip pain is coming from—and how to treat it effectively.
Dr. Noorzad emphasized the importance of a thorough diagnostic approach that combines physical examination and imaging to avoid missing the source of hip pain as it can be related to a variety of conditions, including muscle/tendon overuse, bursal inflammation, joint issues, or sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction.
When conditions like femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) or hip dysplasia are identified early, joint-preserving procedures may delay or even eliminate the need for hip replacement. Although hip replacement remains a highly successful option for advanced disease, younger patients have an increased risk of needing revision surgery in the future. Dr. Noorzad highlighted the importance of exhausting conservative measures—such as physical therapy, injections, anti-inflammatories, and activity modification—before considering surgery.
Lifestyle factors like smoking, va**ng, and poor nutrition can significantly impact healing and recovery. Dr. Noorzad emphasized the important of honesty between patient and surgeon, noting that successful outcomes are more likely with shared decision-making, realistic expectations, and long-term commitment to the treatment plan.
Key Takeaways:
🔹 Consider imaging for persistent, localized hip or groin pain
🔹 Prioritize conservative treatments before surgery
🔹 Address comorbidities first to reduce surgical risk
🔹 Educate patients on lifestyle changes to reduce joint overload
🔹 Encourage honest conversations around treatment goals and recovery
Thank you, Dr. Noorzad, for providing valuable education to the Aspen community!
Learn more about Dr. Noorzad on our website at https://www.thesteadmanclinic.com/our-doctors/ali-s-noorzad
