For athletes at every level, hip injuries can become stubborn setbacks, limiting speed, agility, and overall performance. While rest and rehabilitation play an important role, pain may persist, limiting recovery, especially for those with demanding training schedules. Regenerative medicine is gaining attention as a targeted, effective option for treating hip injuries.
Faster Recovery and Less Downtime
Time away from training and competition can be costly. Regenerative medicine offers the promise of accelerated healing compared to conventional methods. Procedures like PRP, bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) and fat-derived cells are minimally invasive and can reduce inflammation, promote tissue repair, and enhance recovery speed, allowing athletes to return to their sport sooner without the downtime of surgery.
Avoidance of Surgery
At American Hip Institute our research has found that surgical interventions, such as hip arthroscopy, hip resurfacing and hip replacement have excellent results and high return to sport rates. However, many athletes, especially in-season, may prefer regenerative medicine because it may help delay surgery until the off-season or avoid surgery altogether. By stimulating natural healing, regenerative treatments can address conditions like labral tears, tendonitis, and cartilage damage without the risks of operative procedures.
Targeted and Personalized Treatment
Regenerative therapies are often customized to the specific injury and individual patient. For instance, different preparations of the cells have been shown to have different effects on the tissue. This personalized approach ensures that the treatment directly targets the injured hip tissues, maximizing healing potential.
Natural and Safe Healing Process
Since regenerative medicine uses components derived from the patient’s own body, such as platelets and bone marrow, the risk of allergic reactions or rejection is minimal. This natural healing process appeals to athletes looking for safer alternatives to pharmaceuticals or surgeries.
Common Hip Injuries Treated with Regenerative Medicine
Athletes often suffer from hip conditions that respond well to regenerative therapies. These include:
- Labral tears
- Tendonitis and bursitis
- Early-stage osteoarthritis
- Cartilage injuries
- Partial thickness gluteal tears
- Partial thickness hamstring tears
- Muscle strains around the hip
By promoting tissue repair and reducing inflammation, regenerative treatments can help improve function, reduce pain, and enhance joint longevity.
What to Expect During Treatment
Regenerative medicine procedures are typically performed on an outpatient basis. After a consultation and diagnostic imaging, a small amount of blood, bone marrow or fat is obtained and processed to concentrate healing components, and these are injected into the injured hip under ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance. Most patients experience minimal discomfort and can resume normal activities within days, with gradual improvement over weeks.
Regenerative medicine continues to evolve, offering new hope for athletes facing hip injuries. With ongoing innovations and clinical evidence supporting its effectiveness, more athletes are choosing these therapies to optimize their recovery and prolong their careers.
Schedule a consultation to find out if your hip injury could benefit from a personalized regenerative treatment plan.
AUTHOR: Benjamin Domb, MD, is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine and hip arthroscopy. He is the Founder and Medical Director of the American Hip Institute. Recognized among the top doctors in the U.S. by The New York Times, U.S. News & World Report, and Castle Connolly, Dr. Domb is known for his leadership in advancing hip preservation and minimally invasive surgical techniques.
AUTHOR: Etan Sugarman, MD, is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in joint preservation and sports medicine. He has extensive expertise in minimally invasive techniques, complex primary procedures, and using the latest surgical technologies and biologics to improve outcomes and recovery. Prior to joining the American Hip Institute, Dr. Sugarman was a member of the Sports Medicine & Hip Preservation Service and Center for Regenerative Orthopaedic Medicine at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.
