An ever-evolving field, hip preservation specialists treat conditions including hip impingement, hip dysplasia, labral tears, tendon tears, displacement injuries, and arthritis of the hip. Hip conditions are frequently misdiagnosed or undertreated, says Steven L. Parry, DO, Duke Health hip preservation and sports medicine physician.

“Early referral for hip pain helps patients get diagnosed quickly and treated effectively,” says Parry. “Even if it seems like patients have no other options, we can often help.”

Parry will expand Duke’s capacity in relieving muscle irritation and repairing tendons of the hip, including gluteal tendon and hamstring repairs. He returns to Duke as a graduate of the university’s hip preservation fellowship. “I was fortunate to train under the world leaders and physicians who have led the way in developing hip preservation techniques here,” he says. “The Duke program is excellent.”

In addition to other hip procedures, Parry performs open and endoscopic repairs for both the gluteal tendon and the hamstring. Diagnosis for tears in these tissues can be challenging, limiting effective treatment. Hamstring tears are often acute, but partial tears may also go undetected or heal poorly, causing pain and loss of range of motion without an obvious etiology.

Gluteal tendon tears are often misdiagnosed, Parry says, with bursitis commonly suspected. These tears may occasionally occur as an acute injury but may also develop more as a chronic condition. “If a patient has seen multiple providers without answers or has failed conservative care, it’s time to refer,” Parry says.

As one of the largest hip preservation centers nationally by volume, Duke’s established pathways enable excellent care from start to finish. “Not only is the providers’ skill world class but the entire team’s,” Parry explains. “Our postoperative care and imaging teams are familiar with not only the standard course of treatment but also troubleshooting problems.”

The providers’ broad expertise comes from advanced training, such as dual fellowships in hip preservation and pediatrics by Amy L. Behman, MB ChB, PhD. Like Duke hip preservation specialist Richard C. Mather III, MD, MBA, Parry complements the hip preservation team with an additional fellowship in sports medicine. “There’s often a disconnect when treating athletes,” he says. “Having a background in both specialties allows me to better understand athletes’ concerns and goals when treating their hip disorders.”

Referral is key. “In general, if the patient presents with pain in the front or side of the hip, in the groin, or in the buttocks, and they haven’t responded well to conservative treatment, we’d like to help,” he concludes.