Adolescent and Young Adult Hip Preservation Program

We see teens and adults up to age 35 who have chronic or acute hip pain due to structural hip problems. Whether you were born with a hip problem, or it developed over time, we can help.

Over the last 10 years, there have been major advances in the management of hip disorders in young people.

Our program offers you the latest treatments for pain relief including, but not limited to:

• Dedicated on-site physical therapy with Ashley Disantis, DPT, OCS.
• State-of-the-art ultrasound-directed therapies.

If you need surgery, our team has training in advanced surgical techniques including hip arthroscopy and periacetabular osteotomy (PAO). We'll work with you to choose the best surgical approach for you.

We treat all major structural hip conditions that affect teens and young adults.

The most common conditions we treat include:

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) or hip impingement

FAI, or hip impingement:

• Occurs when the hip joint (ball and socket) has a block to motion due to its shape and structure.
• Leads to limited and painful hip motion.
• Is a common cause of hip pain in young, active people.

Hip dysplasia

Hip dysplasia:

• Occurs when the hip socket doesn't completely cover the ball of the hip joint.
• Can occur in childhood but can also present later in life.
• Causes pain due to instability and excessive stress on the ball and socket joint.

Hip labral tear

The labrum is a ring of cartilage that extends around the hip socket to stabilize the hip joint.

FAI or hip dysplasia are often the causes of labral tears.

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) and Legg-Calve-Perthes (Perthes disease)

SCFE and Perthes disease:

• Are childhood hip disorders that typically occur before or near the start of puberty.
• Can result in abnormal shape and structure of the hip joint, despite treatments earlier in life.
• Can lead to hip pain and dysfunction.

When you come to the AYA Hip Preservation Program, we'll talk to you about your case and personal goals. From your first consult through recovery, our team will be at your side.

Some of our services include:

• Dedicated on-site physical therapist (PT). Our PT is on-site for clinic visits and is a key part of your recovery.
• State-of-the-art imaging. We use advanced ultrasound, MRI, and CT imaging so we can make the right diagnosis with the least amount of radiation.
• Expert nursing staff. Our nurses are closely involved in your care. They're available to provide guidance and answers to all your questions throughout your course of treatment.
• 3D printing and virtual surgery. Thanks to advances in imaging available at UPMC Children's Hospital, we use computer programming and 3D printing for cutting-edge surgical planning which helps improve the care of our surgical patients.

Your care will begin with a thorough evaluation of your hip, including x-rays and a physical exam.

You'll meet the whole team, including our orthopedic surgeon, nurses, and physical therapist. Together, we will create a treatment plan tailored to meet your individual needs.

We bring a level of expertise to treating hip disorders and injuries unmatched in the Pittsburgh region.

We're known for:

• Excellence in orthopaedic surgery. Michael McClincy, MD, is one of a small group of surgeons trained in both hip arthroscopy and open surgical techniques such as PAO. He is nationally and internationally recognized as an expert in hip preservation and care for AYA.
• Excellence in physical therapy. Ashley Disantis, DPT, OCS, is a board certified, experienced orthopaedic physical therapist focused on the rehabilitation of patients with non-arthritic hip disorders.
• Our team approach to hip pain care. Experts in orthopaedics, imaging, and PT all come together to assess, diagnose, and manage your hip pain. We also collaborate with other hip specialists in the region through case conferences and continuing education seminars to ensure that the best available evidence and input informs your care.
• Research and access to clinical trials. We thoroughly integrate research into the AYA Hip Preservation Program. We focus on conducting research studies to further advance our understanding of the hip and the success of our treatments.