Hip Pain Specialist in Nassau County, NY
Hip pain is one of the most disabling conditions a person can experience — it affects every step, makes sleep difficult, and limits the activities that define quality of life. But hip pain is also one of the most treatable conditions in a pain management practice, with a range of minimally invasive options that can provide lasting relief without surgery.
At his Garden City and Lake Success offices, Dr. Edward Rubin evaluates and treats the full spectrum of hip pain, using precise injections and regenerative therapies performed personally by Dr. Rubin at every visit.
Where Does Hip Pain Come From?
Hip pain can be misleading. True hip joint pain is usually felt in the groin or front of the thigh — not the outer hip or buttock. Pain on the outside of the hip is often from the bursa or tendons. Pain in the buttock that radiates down the leg is more likely from the lumbar spine or the sacroiliac joint.
Accurate localization is the first step — and one of the most important things Dr. Rubin does at an initial consultation.
Common Causes of Hip Pain
- Hip osteoarthritis — the most common cause; cartilage wears away and the joint becomes painful with weight-bearing and movement
- Greater trochanteric bursitis — inflammation of the fluid sac over the outer hip bone, causing lateral hip pain and tenderness
- Gluteal tendinopathy — degeneration of the gluteus medius or minimus tendons at their attachment to the hip
- Labral tears — tears in the fibrocartilage rim of the hip socket, causing clicking, locking, and deep groin pain
- Iliopsoas tendinopathy or bursitis — inflammation of the hip flexor tendon or its bursa, causing anterior hip and groin pain
- Sacroiliac joint dysfunction — SI joint pain that refers into the buttock and lateral hip
- Lumbar radiculopathy — nerve root compression in the lower back referring pain into the hip and thigh
- Avascular necrosis (AVN) — loss of blood supply to the femoral head, causing progressive joint collapse
Common Symptoms
- Groin pain or deep aching in the front of the hip with walking, stairs, or getting up from a chair
- Outer hip pain and tenderness, worse when lying on the affected side
- Pain that radiates from the hip into the thigh or knee
- A clicking or locking sensation in the hip
- Stiffness and decreased hip rotation, especially in the morning
- Limping or favoring one leg
- Pain that wakes you from sleep when lying on the affected side
How Dr. Rubin Treats Hip Pain
Hip Joint Injections (Corticosteroid)
For hip osteoarthritis or labral pathology, a corticosteroid injection delivered directly into the hip joint under fluoroscopic or ultrasound guidance reduces inflammation and pain significantly. Results typically last 2–4 months and the procedure can be repeated.
PRP Therapy (Platelet-Rich Plasma)
PRP therapy uses concentrated growth factors from your own blood, injected into the hip joint to stimulate cartilage repair and reduce chronic inflammation. PRP is particularly promising for mild to moderate hip osteoarthritis and gluteal tendinopathy, with studies showing meaningful, longer-lasting improvement than corticosteroid alone.
Trochanteric Bursa Injections
For greater trochanteric bursitis and gluteal tendinopathy, a targeted injection directly into the trochanteric bursa reduces the inflammation that causes lateral hip pain and tenderness.
Sacroiliac Joint Injections
When hip and buttock pain originates from the SI joint rather than the hip itself, targeted SI joint injections address the true source of pain.
Lumbar Nerve Root Blocks
When hip or thigh pain is referred from a lumbar nerve root compression (L2, L3, L4), a cervical nerve root block pinpoints and treats the true source — often resolving "hip pain" that has not responded to hip-directed treatments.
Iliopsoas Bursa Injections
For anterior hip pain from iliopsoas bursitis or tendinopathy, a targeted injection under imaging guidance provides precise anti-inflammatory treatment.
FAQs About Hip Pain
How do I know if my pain is from my hip or my back? This is one of the most common questions Dr. Rubin answers. A simple test: if rotating the hip (moving the leg inward and outward) reproduces the pain, it is likely coming from the hip joint. If rotating the hip is pain-free but bending forward or extending the spine reproduces the pain, the source is more likely lumbar. Dr. Rubin performs a thorough physical examination and reviews imaging to make this distinction accurately.
Is PRP effective for hip arthritis? Yes, particularly for mild to moderate osteoarthritis. PRP is not a cure, but multiple studies show that patients with hip OA who receive PRP injections experience significant improvement in pain and function lasting 12 months or longer.
Can I avoid hip replacement surgery? Many patients with moderate hip osteoarthritis successfully delay or avoid hip replacement with a combination of PRP therapy and periodic joint injections. Dr. Rubin will give you an honest assessment of where you are on the arthritis spectrum and what to realistically expect from non-surgical management.
Is it safe to inject the hip joint? Hip joint injections are performed under fluoroscopic (X-ray) guidance by Dr. Rubin personally, ensuring precise needle placement. The procedure is safe and well-tolerated with minimal downtime.
What insurance covers hip injections? Corticosteroid hip joint injections and nerve blocks are generally covered by major insurance plans including Medicare, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, and Blue Cross. PRP is typically out-of-pocket.
Treating Hip Pain on Long Island
Dr. Rubin sees patients at two convenient Nassau County locations — Garden City and Lake Success — with procedures performed at affiliated surgical centers including NYU Long Island and Northwell Health. Call 516-492-3100 to schedule your evaluation.