Hip Pain

At Nucellin Orthopedic Clinic in Seoul, Dr. Heejun Kim personally assesses hip pain through your symptoms, physical examination, walking pattern, daily loading demands and imaging when necessary.

A scan shows structure. It does not always explain pain.

The goal is to identify the source of symptoms and choose the least invasive treatment that can reasonably restore function.

Common Hip Problems

Hip pain may come from:

• Hip osteoarthritis
• Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and labral irritation
• Greater trochanteric pain syndrome and bursitis
• Gluteal or hip-flexor tendinopathy
• Adductor and groin strain
• Referred pain from the spine or sacroiliac region
• Previous injury or surgery

Pain may be felt in the groin, outer hip, buttock or thigh. Symptoms such as stiffness, pain when lying on the affected side, catching or difficulty walking can provide important clues.

The hip joint, surrounding tendons and lower back may need to be assessed together. Treating the wrong source can be one reason symptoms persist.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis begins with your history and a hands-on examination.

Dr. Kim may assess:

• Location and pattern of pain
• Hip range of motion
• Joint and tendon tenderness
• Muscle strength
• Walking pattern
• Single-leg balance and control
• Movements such as squatting and stepping down
• Lower-back and pelvic findings
• Activities that reproduce symptoms

The purpose is not simply to identify an abnormality, but to determine whether it actually explains the patient’s symptoms.

Imaging

X-rays may be used to assess arthritis, joint-space narrowing, bone shape, alignment or previous injury.

Musculoskeletal ultrasound may evaluate selected tendons, bursae and other soft tissues around the hip. It can also guide targeted injections when appropriate.

MRI is not required for every painful hip. It may be recommended when a deeper joint or bone problem is suspected, symptoms remain unexplained, or the result would change the treatment plan.

If MRI is required, imaging can be arranged at a nearby radiology centre and reviewed by Dr. Kim.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the diagnosis, severity of the condition and your functional goals.

Options may include:

• Activity and load modification
• Hip strengthening and movement rehabilitation
• Regenerative Physical Therapy
• A personalised home exercise programme
• Ultrasound-guided injections
• Activated PRF Therapy for selected tendon conditions
• Shockwave Therapy for selected chronic tendon and soft-tissue pain
• Selected cell-based regenerative treatments for joint conditions
• Surgical referral when necessary

Treatment is introduced step by step. A procedure should not be selected simply because an X-ray or MRI shows degeneration.

Rehabilitation focuses on improving mobility, strength and tolerance for walking, stairs, work and exercise. Recovery time varies with the diagnosis, duration of symptoms and response to treatment.

Learn more about Regenerative Physical Therapy →

Learn more about Shockwave Therapy →

Activated PRF

For selected patients with persistent tendon-related hip pain, Dr. Kim may discuss Activated PRF Therapy after examination and imaging review.

Activated PRF is prepared from the patient’s own blood using Nucellin’s mechanically activated platelet- and fibrin-based protocol.

The treatment is intended to support the biologic environment of the affected tissue, but results vary according to the diagnosis and severity of the condition. Suitability, evidence limitations and alternatives are discussed before treatment.

The procedure forms part of a wider plan that includes rehabilitation and appropriate load management.

Learn more about Activated PRF Therapy →

Cell-Based Treatment

Selected patients with symptomatic hip-joint degeneration may be considered for autologous cell-based treatment.

These treatments are not appropriate for every patient with hip pain. Suitability depends on the diagnosis, stage of degeneration, remaining joint space, joint mechanics, previous treatment and the patient’s goals.

Evidence for cell-based treatment in hip conditions remains limited. Treatment cannot guarantee cartilage restoration or replace necessary surgery when advanced joint damage substantially limits function.

The proposed preparation, potential benefits, limitations and recovery requirements are discussed before any procedure.

Learn more about Cell-Based Therapy →

When Surgery May Be Appropriate

Non-surgical treatment is not always the right answer.

A surgical opinion may be appropriate when there is:

• Advanced arthritis with substantial pain and loss of function
• A fracture or major traumatic injury
• A significant structural problem requiring surgical correction
• Persistent symptoms and functional limitation despite appropriate non-surgical treatment

The goal is not to avoid surgery at all costs, but to determine when non-surgical treatment is reasonable and when surgery may provide a better result.

When to Seek Medical Attention

Arrange an assessment if your hip or groin pain:

• Persists or repeatedly returns
• Limits walking, stairs or exercise
• Causes progressive stiffness
• Interrupts sleep
• Has not improved despite previous treatment

Seek urgent medical care after significant trauma, if you cannot bear weight, or if severe hip pain is accompanied by fever or a hot and swollen joint.

International Patients

International patients can consult directly with Dr. Kim in English.

You may send or bring previous X-rays, ultrasound images, MRI images and medical reports. Same-day consultation, ultrasound assessment and selected treatments may be possible when medically appropriate.

If MRI is required, we can arrange imaging at a nearby radiology centre.

Bone marrow- and adipose-derived procedures require separate planning.

The goal is to restore comfortable movement and confidence in walking and daily activity.

Contact Nucellin Orthopedic Clinic →