01
Find the source of the pain
A painful hip can come from arthritis, tendon irritation, bursitis, a back problem, avascular necrosis, or a prior implant. The location and pattern of pain matter.
Hip pain guide
Common causes of hip pain and when to get it checked.
Hip pain education for arthritis, soft tissue issues, referred pain, injury, and when to seek evaluation.
Online booking in about a minuteHMSA, Medicare & other major plansHonolulu · West Oahu · Hilo · KonaTelehealth for neighbor islands
What we sort out
The first job is to make the problem clearer.
02
Review the images together
X-rays and MRI reports are useful, but they only help when they match the exam and the story you are telling.
03
Choose the next step
The plan may be time, therapy, an injection, hip replacement, robotic planning, direct anterior hip discussion, or revision evaluation for a prior implant.
Bring if you have it
Bring hip X-rays, MRI reports, or prior operative reports
Notice whether pain is in the groin, thigh, side, buttock, or back
Write down what you can no longer do comfortably
Bring implant records if you already had hip replacement
Why I ask for the story
Better records usually lead to a better first conversation.
Bring the history, images, and questions you already have. That helps us spend the visit on the part that matters: what is causing the problem, what choices are reasonable, and what timing fits your health, work, family, and travel needs.
Questions
Straight answers before you call.
Is every painful hip arthritis?
No. Arthritis is common, but hip pain can come from several places. The visit should separate those possibilities.
What if I already had a hip replacement?
Bring the old records if you have them. Pain after hip replacement deserves a careful workup before anyone talks about another surgery.
Can we talk about robotic or anterior hip replacement?
Yes. Those questions are appropriate, but they should be tied to your anatomy, imaging, safety, and goals.
Related pages
Next step
You do not have to figure this out before you call.
Dr. Morton's team can help sort symptoms, imaging, options, travel needs, and timing so the path forward feels more concrete. Mahalo for trusting us with the next step.
Online booking in about a minuteHMSA, Medicare & other major plansHonolulu · West Oahu · Hilo · KonaTelehealth for neighbor islands
Written for patients by the practice
Orthopedic guidance should be clear enough to help you make a real decision.
Dr. Paul Norio Morton created Joint Replacement Hawaii to help patients understand hip pain, knee pain, arthritis, sports injuries, robotic joint replacement, revision surgery, injections, and recovery before they come in for a visit.
