PROF. DR. SAMMY HANNAMD · FACS · FRCS (TR&ORTH) · CCT (TR&ORTH)
HIP CARE · ABU DHABI
Hip symptoms can arise from the joint itself, the labrum and surrounding soft tissues, or an existing hip replacement. The starting point is where the pain is felt, what movements provoke it, how function has changed and which findings actually explain the problem. Rated among the best hip surgeons in Abu Dhabi, he treats patients from across the UAE at Healthpoint Hospital.
One Hip hub. Four detailed routes. Start here, then move directly to the page that matches the clinical question.
A NAVIGATOR, NOT A DIAGNOSIS
Choose the description closest to the problem. The result points to the most useful information page; symptoms alone cannot confirm a diagnosis or determine whether surgery is appropriate.
Hip, back and soft-tissue symptoms can overlap. Examination and selective imaging help separate the source.
This pattern may be associated with hip osteoarthritis or another joint problem. The arthritis route explains how symptoms, function, examination and X-rays are considered together.
Explore hip arthritis → Educational navigation only. Symptoms alone cannot confirm a diagnosis.FOUR DETAILED HIP ROUTES
The Hip hub explains the overall landscape. These four pages carry the detail, so there is no extra grandparent or duplicate surgery parent between you and the information you need.
Hip osteoarthritis can cause pain and stiffness that gradually make everyday tasks harder, including walking, standing from a chair, getting in and out of a car, or reaching shoes and socks.
Assessment considers symptoms, movement, function and X-rays where useful. Arthritis on imaging does not by itself determine treatment, and it does not automatically mean replacement.
Femoroacetabular impingement describes a shape-related conflict between the ball and socket that can irritate the joint during movement. Labral symptoms may overlap with other causes of groin pain.
The key question is whether the history, examination and imaging tell the same story. A labral abnormality on a scan does not automatically mean surgery is required.
Total hip replacement replaces the damaged ball-and-socket joint surfaces with prosthetic components. It may be considered when symptoms and loss of function remain substantial despite appropriate non-operative care.
The decision is individual. Planning considers the diagnosis, anatomy, health, activity goals, implant strategy and the recovery required after surgery.
Revision surgery is considered when an existing hip replacement develops a significant problem. Causes can include loosening or wear, infection, recurrent instability or dislocation, fracture around the implant, or other implant-related failure.
Revision is generally more complex than primary replacement and may require additional imaging, laboratory tests, specialised implants and reconstruction of bone or soft tissue.
THE CLINICAL QUESTION SET
A scan can describe structure. A useful consultation also needs to determine whether the hip joint is the source, what is limiting function, and which findings genuinely change treatment.
Urgent symptoms? Sudden severe hip pain after a fall or injury, obvious deformity, inability to bear weight, or fever with a severely painful joint requires prompt medical assessment.
Groin, front of thigh, buttock or the outside of the hip can point the examination towards different structures.
Walking, stairs, prolonged sitting, flexion, rotation, lying on one side or sport can provide useful mechanical clues.
Walking distance, sleep, shoes and socks, getting into a car, work and exercise show the real-world impact of the problem.
Examination considers the joint alongside lateral soft tissues and possible referred symptoms from the back or pelvis.
X-rays, MRI or CT are selected to answer a defined question about arthritis, joint shape, labrum, bone or surgical planning.
TREATMENT MATCHED TO THE PROBLEM
Treatment depends on the cause, severity, previous care, general health and the function a person wants to regain. Hip pain does not automatically progress towards surgery.
BUILD CAPACITY
Education, activity adjustment and targeted work on strength, mobility and movement may be central for many hip problems managed without an operation.
The programme depends on the diagnosis.MANAGE SYMPTOMS
Medication discussions and selected injections may be considered where appropriate alongside a clear diagnosis and a plan for activity and function.
Benefits and limitations should be discussed.TREAT STRUCTURE OR JOINT
Hip preservation procedures or joint replacement are considered only when the structural problem, symptoms and individual circumstances support that route.
The operation must fit the problem.These are not automatic stages. The appropriate route may remain non-operative, combine approaches or change as the diagnosis becomes clearer.
IMPORTANT PATTERNS WITHOUT EXTRA PAGES
HIP FAQs
General information only. A personal diagnosis or treatment recommendation requires an individual clinical assessment.
Request an appointmentHip arthritis commonly causes pain in the groin or front of the thigh with stiffness and reduced movement. Some people also feel symptoms in the buttock or around the side of the hip. Read the hip arthritis guide.
No. Groin pain has several possible causes. Impingement and labral problems are possibilities, but the history, examination and imaging must be interpreted together. Explore impingement & labral problems.
Not always. X-rays may be the most useful first test when arthritis or joint shape is a concern. MRI or CT is selected when it can answer a specific question about the labrum, cartilage, bone or surgical planning.
No. Treatment depends on symptoms, function, examination findings, imaging, health, previous treatment and goals. Many people are managed without surgery.
It may be discussed when hip joint damage causes substantial pain, stiffness and loss of function despite appropriate non-operative care, and the overall assessment supports surgery. See primary hip replacement.
Revision may be needed when an existing replacement develops a significant problem such as loosening or wear, infection, recurrent instability or dislocation, fracture around the implant, or another implant-related failure. See revision hip replacement.
YOUR HIP SPECIALIST
Prof. Hanna is a UK board-certified consultant orthopaedic hip and knee surgeon at Healthpoint Hospital, Abu Dhabi, with specialist expertise in primary and complex hip replacement, joint reconstruction and evidence-led assessment of hip pain.
ONE HIP STARTING POINT
You do not need to diagnose the structure yourself. Bring the symptom timeline, previous imaging or treatment and the activities that matter to you; the assessment can organise the next step.