If hip pain is limiting how you move, an accurate diagnosis is the starting point for everything that follows. Dr. Neil S. Roth and the team at New York Sports Medicine Institute treat the full range of hip conditions, from overuse injuries and labral tears to advanced arthritis requiring joint replacement. We see patients ages three and up at our New York City, White Plains, and Paramus offices.
Meet Our Hip Doctor in NYC
Dr. Neil S. Roth is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine and surgery of the shoulder, elbow, and knee. He completed his residency at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center and a sports medicine fellowship at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic, where he served as an assistant team physician for the Los Angeles Lakers, Dodgers, Kings, Angels, and Anaheim Ducks. He has been recognized by New York Magazine as one of New York’s best doctors and named to Castle Connolly’s list of top doctors in the New York metro area. You can read more about Dr. Roth’s background and training on his profile.
Hip Conditions We Treat
Hip Bursitis
Bursae are small fluid-filled sacs that cushion the tendons and muscles around the hip. When one becomes inflamed, the result is bursitis. Trochanteric bursitis affects the bursa at the bony point of the hip and produces sharp pain along the outer hip that often radiates down the thigh, while iliopsoas bursitis develops nearer the groin and is considerably less common. Most cases respond to conservative care, and our guide to hip bursitis symptoms and treatment covers the risk factors and non-surgical options in detail.
Hip Impingement (FAI)
Femoroacetabular impingement occurs when the ball-and-socket joint makes abnormal contact, creating damaging friction inside the hip. Cam impingement stems from a deformity of the ball at the top of the femur, and pincer impingement stems from a deformity of the socket. When both are present, the condition is called combined impingement. Athletes tend to aggravate it earlier than non-athletes because of the greater range of joint movement their sports demand. Left unaddressed, impingement can accelerate the onset of osteoarthritis.
Labral Tears
The labrum is a ring of soft tissue around the rim of the hip socket that holds the femur in position. Overstressing it can produce a tear, which typically presents as a catching sensation accompanied by moderate pain. Hockey players, golfers, and soccer players are particularly susceptible because their sports involve fast pivoting through the hip. We cover why labral tears matter for athletes and how they are repaired.
Snapping Hip
Snapping hip presents as a snapping sensation, sometimes with an audible pop, during walking, running, or rising from a chair. It most often occurs where the iliotibial band passes over the greater trochanter. The sensation ranges from a minor annoyance to a genuine obstacle to athletic performance, and persistent snapping can progress to bursitis. Damaged cartilage inside the socket can also work loose and cause the joint to catch.
Hip Arthritis
Arthritis of the hip involves the loss of cartilage between the head of the femur and the socket of the pelvis. Without that cushion, the bones rub against one another and the joint becomes inflamed, which limits range of motion and produces pain that tends to build over time. X-rays confirm the diagnosis by showing narrowed space between the bones. Our article on what triggers hip arthritis flare-ups explains the patterns patients most often notice.
Hip Fractures and Dislocations
Hip fractures range from stress fractures in distance runners and dancers to acute breaks following a fall. Women lose more bone mass to osteoporosis and are consequently more prone to hip fractures than men, and a fracture after age 65 carries serious consequences. Dislocations most often follow high-force trauma such as a motor vehicle collision and require immediate evaluation. We outline the treatment options following a hip dislocation for patients working through that decision.
Hip Replacement Surgery
Hip replacement is a last-resort option, considered only after physical therapy, pain management, and activity modification have been exhausted. It is most commonly performed for osteoarthritis, though avascular necrosis, prior fractures, and certain childhood hip conditions can also lead to it.
Many hip replacements are now performed using minimally invasive technique. Two small incisions allow access to the socket and femur without cutting the tendon and with minimal disruption to surrounding soft tissue, which shortens the hospital stay and speeds rehabilitation. Complex cases still require traditional open surgery, and outcomes there remain strong even though recovery takes longer.
Patients weighing the procedure often want to understand the surgical approach and the recovery timeline before committing. We compare the anterior and posterior approaches and walk through what to expect while recovering from hip replacement surgery, including wound care, swelling, and the follow-up schedule.
Non-Surgical Hip Treatment
Most hip conditions never reach the operating room. Depending on the diagnosis, treatment may involve activity modification, anti-inflammatory medication, guided rehabilitation, image-guided injections, or a combination of these. Our approach is to exhaust conservative options first and to reserve surgery for cases where it offers a clear advantage.
What to Expect at Your Visit
Your evaluation begins with a history and a physical examination of the hip. Depending on what that exam reveals, we may order X-rays, an MRI, or a CT scan to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other sources of pain. Once the cause is identified, we build a treatment plan around your diagnosis, your activity level, and what you need to get back to. You can review the full range of orthopedic sports medicine services available at the practice.
Schedule With a Hip Doctor in NYC
Hip pain rarely resolves on its own, and delaying an evaluation often narrows the treatment options available later. Call our New York office at 212-861-2300, our White Plains office at 914-290-4370, or our Paramus office at 201-292-8500. You can also request an appointment online.
Our New York Office
New York Sports Medicine Institute
210 East 64th Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10021
Tel: 212-861-2300 | Fax: 914-920-2085
New York Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 7:30 am – 5:00 pm
Late hours by special appointment only.
Please note: hours may change due to surgical schedule. We do our best to communicate these changes and accommodate your needs. We encourage patients to call our offices with any issues or requests. Email should be used for informational purposes, and we will review and respond during regular office hours.