At Lidder Orthopaedics, we provide specialist diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of hip conditions, including degenerative, developmental, tendon-related, and post-surgical problems. Treatment is tailored to restore mobility, reduce pain, and improve quality of life.
Overview:
Hip osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition in which the cartilage in the hip joint gradually wears away, causing pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
Symptoms:
Groin or thigh pain
Morning stiffness
Reduced range of movement
Difficulty walking, bending, or putting on shoes
Causes:
Age-related wear and tear
Previous hip injury
Hip dysplasia
Genetic predisposition
Diagnosis:
Clinical examination and X-rays are usually sufficient. MRI may be used in early or complex cases.
Non-Surgical Treatment:
Physiotherapy
Weight management
Activity modification
Anti-inflammatory medication
Image-guided injections
Surgical Treatment:
Total hip replacement is the definitive treatment for advanced disease
When Surgery is Considered:
When pain and stiffness significantly impact daily activities, sleep, or quality of life despite conservative management.
Overview:
Hip dysplasia occurs when the hip socket is shallow, leading to abnormal joint loading and early arthritis.
Symptoms:
Groin pain
Hip instability
Clicking or catching sensation
Early-onset osteoarthritis
Causes:
Developmental condition from birth or childhood
Often becomes symptomatic in adolescence or adulthood
Diagnosis:
X-rays
MRI or CT scans to assess joint coverage and anatomy
Non-Surgical Treatment:
Physiotherapy for hip stability
Strengthening exercises
Activity modification
Surgical Treatment:
Hip preservation surgery (e.g. periacetabular osteotomy)
Hip replacement in advanced arthritis
When Surgery is Considered:
Persistent pain, instability, or progression to arthritis affecting function and lifestyle.
Overview:
AVN occurs when blood supply to the femoral head is reduced, leading to bone death and possible collapse of the joint surface.
Symptoms:
Deep groin pain
Pain with weight-bearing
Progressive loss of function
Causes:
Steroid use
Alcohol excess
Trauma
Idiopathic (unknown cause)
Diagnosis:
MRI (early detection)
X-rays (later stage collapse)
Non-Surgical Treatment:
Activity modification
Protected weight-bearing
Early core decompression in selected cases
Surgical Treatment:
Core decompression
Bone grafting procedures
Total hip replacement (advanced disease)
When Surgery is Considered:
Once femoral head collapse occurs or symptoms become persistent and function-limiting.
Overview:
Hip pain can originate from the joint, muscles, tendons, or referred from the spine.
Symptoms:
Groin, lateral hip, or buttock pain
Pain with walking or sitting
Stiffness or reduced mobility
Causes:
Arthritis
Tendon or muscle injury
Bursitis
Lumbar spine referral
Diagnosis:
Clinical examination
X-rays or MRI
Diagnostic injections where required
Non-Surgical Treatment:
Physiotherapy
Postural correction
Strengthening programs
Pain management strategies
Surgical Treatment:
Depends on underlying diagnosis (arthroscopy or replacement in select cases).
When Surgery is Considered:
When a structural cause is identified, and symptoms persist despite non-operative treatment.
Overview:
A common cause of outer hip pain could be due to degeneration or overload of the gluteus medius/minimus tendons.
Symptoms:
Lateral hip pain
Pain lying on the affected side
Pain with walking, stairs, or standing
Causes:
Tendon overload
Weakness of hip stabilisers
Age-related degeneration
Diagnosis:
Clinical examination
MRI or ultrasound imaging
Non-Surgical Treatment:
Load management
Physiotherapy strengthening
Shockwave therapy
Anti-inflammatory strategies
Surgical Treatment:
Tendon repair
Bursectomy in refractory cases
When Surgery is Considered:
Persistent symptoms after 3–6 months of structured rehabilitation.
Overview:
Inflammation of the bursa over the outer hip, often associated with gluteal tendon pathology.
Symptoms:
Outer hip tenderness
Pain lying on side
Discomfort with activity
Causes:
Repetitive friction
Biomechanical overload
Associated tendon irritation
Diagnosis:
Clinical examination
Ultrasound or MRI if required
Non-Surgical Treatment:
Physiotherapy
Activity modification
Anti-inflammatory medication
Corticosteroid injection
Surgical Treatment:
Rarely required (bursectomy in chronic cases)
When Surgery is Considered:
Only after prolonged failure of conservative treatment.
Overview:
A failed hip replacement occurs when a previous hip replacement no longer functions optimally due to mechanical or biological failure.
Symptoms:
Persistent or worsening hip pain
Instability or dislocation
Reduced mobility
Swelling or mechanical symptoms
Causes:
Implant loosening
Wear of components
Infection
Dislocation
Periprosthetic fracture
Diagnosis:
X-rays
Blood tests
CT scans
Joint aspiration if infection suspected
Non-Surgical Treatment:
Limited role
Pain management and monitoring in select cases
Surgical Treatment:
Revision hip replacement surgery
When Surgery is Considered:
When pain, instability, or implant failure significantly impacts function or a better quality of life.
Mr Surjit Lidder provides comprehensive hip care across Melbourne, Albury, and Bright, offering both non-operative management and advanced surgical solutions including hip replacement and revision surgery.
You should seek specialist review if you experience:
Persistent hip pain lasting more than 6 weeks
Pain affecting walking, sleep, or work
Reduced mobility or stiffness
Failure of physiotherapy or injections
Symptoms after previous hip surgery
For a second opinion and peace of mind.
