Orthopedics

Hip preservation may be an excellent option

Hip replacement implants and surgical techniques have improved dramatically in recent years. 

But if you’re a teenager or adult under the age of 50, you may have a better option:  hip preservation.

Get treated by orthopedists who specialize in hip preservation

At the Adolescent and Adult Hip Program, we seek to preserve your natural hip joint. Stuart Braun, MD, Chief of Pediatric Orthopedics, has cared for patients with hip disorders, sports injuries, neuromuscular disorders and spinal deformities since 1999. Dr. Braun is inspired by helping children enjoy active and rewarding lives. At Tufts Medical Center, he has won multiple awards including: “Best of Boston”,  the “Patients Choice Award” and the “Compassionate Doctor Award.” Matthew Salzler, MD, Co-Director of the Sports Medicine Program, works closely with Dr. Braun and performs hip arthroscopy and sports specific minimally invasive hip preservation procedures. All aspects of pediatric hip health are managed in a patients centered approach here at Tufts Medical Center. Collaboration is encouraged and welcomed to improve the care of our patients and their families.

All aspects of your care will be managed by Dr. Braun or Dr. Salzler when you come to our program. If surgery is recommended, Dr. Braun or Dr. Salzler, one of our attending (supervising) physicians, will perform your procedure. Our team includes dedicated pediatric nurses, physician assistants, physical therapist and staff.

Why is preserving your hip important when you’re young?

As a young adult, you probably look forward to climbing stairs at school without pain or returning to your sports team or a physically demanding job. Although today’s hip implants are very durable, they can exclude you from many high-impact activities. And because implants last about 15 years, the longer you keep your natural hip, the fewer replacement surgeries you’ll need over your lifetime.

Hip preservation can help with many hip disorders

Our orthopaedic specialists focus on hip preservation to treat problems caused by congenital disorders (those you’re born with), work and sport injuries and other factors, such as body weight.

The most common hip conditions we treat are:

• Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI)
• Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH)
• Avascular necrosis
• Perthes disease, slipped capital epiphysis and other pediatric hip disorders
• Early onset of arthritis

How we treat you depends on your particular goals and overall health, but typically we explore conservative, non-surgical treatment before we consider surgery.

You can count on our hip specialists throughout your life

Another advantage of our program is that we draw from the advanced resources of Tufts Medical Center and Tufts Medical Center, two of Boston’s finest medical centers in pediatric and adult care, respectively. This means a seamless transition in your treatment as you grow older, a major benefit if you have a chronic hip problem. Our entire team will get to know you and your medical history well, the most important factor in providing you with continuous, personalized care.