Make the Right Diagnosis: My Pearls for Working Up Hip-related Pain

The origin of pain around the hip is commonly more elusive than other joints; often obscured by compensatory disorders. Hip problems tend to be multifactorial and require a multidisciplinary approach in the evaluation. The best strategy is to team with a capable physical therapist to unveil the layers of problems. Ultrasonography and imaging/ultrasound-guided injections can be the most valuable adjunct to the history and physical examination. Plain radiographs are an essential element in the workup. Magnetic resonance imaging can underestimate damage in the joint, but positive findings can sometimes be the normal consequence of age and activity. Magnetic resonance imaging is often as important for what it rules out as much as what it rules in. Computed tomography scans with 3-dimensional reconstructions can be especially helpful in surgical planning but are not used in routine screening, being thoughtful of radiation exposure even with low-dose protocols. Arthroscopic access to the hip is more challenging than other joints, and similarly, unlocking its clinical secrets can be more imposing as well.