Hip Osteoarthritis: Candidacy Assessment & Treatment in Palm Beach
Hip osteoarthritis involves the breakdown of cartilage within the hip joint, one of the most load-bearing joints in the body. It is a leading cause of pain and disability in adults over 50, and hip replacement surgery is among the most commonly performed joint procedures in the United States.
At Palm Beach Regenerative, Dr. Ghattas applies strict candidacy criteria to hip OA, because the reality is that advanced hip arthritis, particularly in patients over 55, is often better served by hip replacement surgery. Honest candidacy assessment is a hallmark of our approach. Give us a call for an appointment today.
What Is Hip Osteoarthritis?
The hip joint is a ball-and-socket joint where the head of the femur (thigh bone) sits within the acetabulum (socket) of the pelvis. As cartilage degenerates, the joint space narrows, bone spurs develop, and the friction between joint surfaces increases, causing pain with weight-bearing, walking, and transitional movements.
Signs and Symptoms
- Groin, thigh, or buttock pain, especially with walking or standing
- Pain that worsens with activity and may improve briefly with rest
- Morning stiffness lasting more than 30 minutes
- Reduced range of motion, including difficulty putting on shoes, crossing legs
- Limping or altered gait pattern
- Pain at night disrupting sleep
Common Causes and Risk Factors
- Age-related degeneration of hip cartilage (primary OA)
- Prior hip injuries, fractures, or surgery
- Hip dysplasia or structural abnormalities
- Inflammatory arthritis affecting the hip
- Obesity placing excess mechanical load on the joint
How It Is Diagnosed
X-rays are the standard initial imaging tool for assessing hip joint space and the degree of arthritis. MRI provides additional detail on cartilage quality, labral integrity, and bone marrow changes.
Dr. Ghattas reviews your imaging carefully, with particular attention to the amount of remaining joint space, as this is a critical factor in determining candidacy for orthobiologic treatment.
Conventional Treatment Options
- Physical therapy and targeted exercise to improve hip mobility and surrounding muscle strength
- Weight management to reduce hip joint loading
- NSAIDs and pain medications for symptom control
- Steroid injections for temporary inflammation relief
- Hip replacement surgery: Highly effective for advanced-stage hip OA, providing more complete and predictable pain relief than non-surgical options in advanced cases
The Palm Beach Regenerative Approach
For carefully selected candidates, image-guided orthobiologic injection into the hip joint may help manage arthritis symptoms and delay or potentially avoid surgical intervention.
However, candidacy for this approach is more restricted in the hip than in any other joint we treat. Hip arthritis treatment with orthobiologics works best for patients who:
- Have mild to moderate arthritis with adequate remaining joint space on imaging
- Are generally under age 55 for cases of severe hip arthritis
- Do not have significant bone deformity, hip dysplasia, or near-complete joint destruction
For patients with advanced bone-on-bone hip arthritis, particularly those over 55, hip replacement surgery often provides significantly more complete and predictable pain relief. Dr. Ghattas will provide a straightforward, honest assessment of whether orthobiologic treatment is likely to benefit your specific situation, or whether a referral to an excellent orthopedic surgeon is the better path.
During your consultation, Dr. Ghattas will review your imaging, assess your candidacy, discuss realistic expectations if treatment is appropriate, and refer you to a trusted surgical colleague if surgery is the more appropriate option.
The BioMod Advantage: At Palm Beach Regenerative, treatment does not end with a single injection. Through our BioMod Lab, Dr. Ghattas may combine your orthobiologic procedure with MLS Robotic Laser Therapy to reduce inflammation and support tissue recovery, alongside customized Xymogen supplement protocols designed to optimize your body’s healing environment. This integrated, concierge approach is what sets Palm Beach Regenerative apart from a standard injection clinic.
Like all medical procedures, interventional orthobiologics have potential risks and benefits. Results vary by individual. Not all patients are candidates. Dr. Ghattas will discuss your specific situation, realistic expectations, and all treatment options, including when surgery or other interventions may be more appropriate.
Important: Advanced hip osteoarthritis, particularly in patients over 55 with severe disease, is generally not well-suited for orthobiologic treatment. Hip replacement surgery is often the more appropriate and reliable option for this patient group. Dr. Ghattas will conduct an honest candidacy assessment and will not recommend treatment that is unlikely to benefit you.
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●PATIENT OUTCOMES
Real Patients. Real Results.
No medical procedure can guarantee an outcome. What you should expect is an honest discussion of the evidence, a careful assessment of candidacy, and a recommendation based on your condition.
"Honestly one of the best experiences, I’ve had a really stiff neck for a couple weeks I tried seeing a chiropractor for and it helped marginally but the real jump in relief was coming to see Dr. Ghattas! He has been incredible, wonderful staff, and minimally invasive technique for my pain relief which was super important to me! Thank you Dr. Ghattas recommending to anyone with pain!"Monica A
"Ghattas was instrumental in helping my torn rotator cuff. I did Barbotage for the stone, and then PRP. Great experience. Been about a month or 2 since and I feel great."Ahmet B
"I had severe knee pain and was looking for proper knee pain treatment, which is how I found Dr. Ghattas on Instagram. I was a bit hesitant at first, but it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made for my health. Francia was amazing at coordinating all my consultations and making the whole process easy and stress-free. If you’re dealing with knee pain and looking for a reliable doctor and team, I highly recommend them."Roger L
"Over a year ago, both my daughter and I underwent PRP treatment with Dr. Ghattas—PRP for my left knee and PRP for my daughter’s L4-L5 and sacral region. We wanted to wait long enough to truly evaluate the results before sharing our experience. I am pleased to say that the outcomes have been outstanding. My daughter’s improvement has been remarkable, and the treatment has made a significant difference in her quality of life. I have also experienced excellent results with my knee. Dr. Ghattas is an exceptional physician who combines expertise, professionalism, and genuine care for his patients. We are incredibly grateful for the treatment we received and the positive impact it has had on our lives. Thank you, Dr. Ghattas. We are truly grateful for everything you have done. You are simply the best."Dr Jorge A
"Dr. Ghattas is very knowledgable and a sympathetic doctor. Hard to find in America. All questions answered, my procedure went very smoothly, very little pain. Follow up is excellent, I highly recommend his practice."Luciana D
“ I had severe knee pain and was looking for proper knee pain treatment, which is how I found Dr. Ghattas on Instagram. I was a bit hesitant at first, but it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made for my health. Francia was amazing at coordinating all my consultations and making the whole process easy and stress-free. If you’re dealing with knee pain and looking for a reliable doctor and team, I highly recommend them. ”Roger L
“Dr. Ghattas was terrific today. He spent a good amount of time examining me and explaining the regenerative process which I intend to have done next month. More to come after the procedure.”Louie R
“I found Dr Ghattas and his staff very welcoming and informative. The process was well explained and gave me encouragement about the potential for fully restoring my knee joint integrity.”Eric C
“I received two treatments from Dr. Ghattas With excellent results, he takes great care in his assessment and in his treatment you couldn’t be in better hands. I highly recommend his work.”Gisela S
“Apart from the exemplary personal service by the reception and the staff that makes us feel we're at home at the clinic, I have experienced remarkable healing in several episodes from shoulder issue to knee injuries and hip pain. The doctor is so thorough in the diagnosis phase that he administered exactly what was needed, no more no less! Thank you folks for a wonderful experience.”RG G
“Went to Dr. Ghattas for chronic knee and neck issue. I’ve already had multiple procedures done on my neck and multiple epidurals with minimal success. My knee I was told needed surgery to fix. I already had surgery in the past with minimal difference. I ended up getting stem cells in my knee and neck and could t be happier with the outcome. Anyone considering surgery I recommend checking out Regenex first. Next I’m doing the ganglion block and look forward to the results.”Logan H
“Dr. James Ghattas and his team are truly top-notch. His office is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and a staff that's exceptional in their fields. I've referred several clients to him, and they've all been incredibly satisfied. Dr. Ghattas is absolutely ahead of the curve, and I wholeheartedly endorse his work.”Ron H
“I am quite active and go to pilates 3-4 times per week. I was having left knee pain and which was treated with PRP. It took about 3 months for me to feel better but then the pain completely subsided. I now am able to exercise without the fear that I will tear a ligament and am pain free.”Ellipsis P
“Transparency, thoroughness, attention to detail, immediate, high quality, follow ups and follow through are just a few words that come to mind throughout my experiences with Palm Beach Regenerative Sport and Spine.”Milton L
