How to get more hip pain patients

Hip pain care is a service some patients pay for themselves and others ask their insurer about, and how it is described shapes who books and what they expect. Many callers mention an ache in the groin or the side of the hip, pain when they get up from a chair, climb stairs or lie on that side, a stiff hip, a limp, a sore hip after a fall or a game, or that their family doctor suggested they see an orthopedist, and the calls are from adults. This guide is for owners, coordinators and front desk teams in orthopedic, sports medicine and hip specialty practices that evaluate hip pain: what MedlinePlus and NIAMS say about hip pain and its common causes, how they are diagnosed and treated, which claims to avoid, and how to turn requests into well-informed evaluations. Here, the orthopedic surgeon or sports medicine physician (called the specialist below) evaluates the patient and decides on the treatment plan, and talks it through with the patient.

SearchAn adult looks for care near them.
Your pageWhat you treat, who sees them, one way to book.
Call or formThey call or send a request.
Front deskBooks the visit and never guesses a cause.
Clinical teamThe clinician decides the plan.

How a new patient request reaches your practice.

1. Know what hip pain care is and is not

The MedlinePlus hip pain article says “Hip pain involves any pain in or around the hip joint.” and “You may not feel pain from your hip directly over the hip area. You may feel it in your groin, thigh, or knee.” The MedlinePlus hip injuries and disorders topic page says “Osteoarthritis can cause pain and limited motion.”

Care starts with an evaluation, not a set package of visits. The MedlinePlus hip pain article says “Your provider will perform a physical exam with careful attention to your hips, thighs, back, and the way you walk.” and “To help diagnose the cause of the problem, your provider will ask questions about:” and lists “Where you feel the pain”, “When and how the pain started” and “Your ability to walk and support weight” among the questions.

Only a licensed clinician evaluates the hip, and the specialist decides whether imaging, other tests or a referral are needed. The NIAMS sports injuries diagnosis and treatment page says “Many orthopaedic surgeons may have obtained additional specialty training in sports medicine.” The front desk does not say whether a caller has arthritis, bursitis, a strain, a tear or another health problem or which treatment they need, and neither the front desk nor an ad can tell one cause of hip pain from another.

Some callers are sure they know why their hip hurts, or mention other symptoms with it. The MedlinePlus hip pain article says “Pain you feel in the hip may reflect a problem in your back, rather than in the hip itself.” The NIAMS osteoarthritis page says “Osteoarthritis affects each person differently.”

Some calls need emergency care, and the front desk only relays what the sources say. The MedlinePlus hip pain article says “Go to a hospital or get emergency help if:” and lists “Your hip pain is acute and caused by a serious fall or other injury.”, “Your leg is deformed, badly bruised, or bleeding.”, “You are unable to move your hip or bear any weight on your leg.” and “You are having worsening pain and have difficulty urinating or having a bowel movement.” If a caller reports any of these during the call, tell them MedlinePlus says to go to a hospital or get emergency help, then tell the clinical team. The MedlinePlus greater trochanteric pain syndrome article, on pain at the outside of the hip, says “Get medical help right away if you have any of the following:” and lists “Your hip pain is caused by a serious fall or other injury”, “Your leg is deformed, badly bruised, or bleeding”, “You are unable to move your hip or bear any weight on your leg”, “You have difficulty standing on one leg”, “Your pain goes down your leg” and “You have difficulty with urinary or bowel function”. If a caller reports any of these during the call, tell them MedlinePlus says to get medical help right away, then tell the clinical team; if the report matches a sign in both lists, relay both lines. The NIAMS sports injuries diagnosis and treatment page says “You should see a health care provider if you have symptoms of a serious injury. These symptoms include:” and lists “Severe pain, swelling, or bruising.”, “Being unable to tolerate any weight on the area.” and “An obvious deformity.” If a caller reports any of these during the call, tell them NIAMS says to see a health care provider, then tell the clinical team promptly so a clinician can speak with the caller; if the report also matches a sign in the MedlinePlus lists above, relay that line too.

Other signs call for a provider visit. The MedlinePlus hip pain article says “Contact your provider if:” and lists “Your hip is still painful after 1 week of home treatment.”, “You also have a fever or rash.”, “You have sudden hip pain, plus sickle cell anemia or long-term steroid use.”, “You have pain in both hips and other joints.” and “You start limping and have difficulty with stairs and gait.” The MedlinePlus osteoarthritis article says “Contact your provider if you have symptoms of OA that are bothersome or get worse.” The MedlinePlus greater trochanteric pain syndrome article says “Contact your provider if symptoms come back or do not improve after 2 weeks of treatment.” If a caller reports any of these during the call, tell them MedlinePlus says to contact their provider, then tell the clinical team promptly so a clinician can speak with the caller; if the report also matches a sign in the paragraph above, relay that line too. Callers who report a problem after earlier hip surgery or another medical treatment are passed to the clinical team promptly. The front desk does not say what is causing the pain, does not judge whether a symptom matters, and does not tell callers what to do at home or which medicines to take; staff note it on the intake form and pass it to the clinician, and pass any other symptoms to the clinical team promptly.

Some callers ask for one specific treatment only, or bring imaging results or a plan from another clinic. Book the evaluation the same way, give the price, do not promise which treatment the specialist will use or how the plan will look, and do not promise a plan based on earlier imaging or an earlier visit elsewhere.

Do not present hip pain care or a named treatment or technique as the only answer or as a sure fix. The specialist explains the options and decides on the plan with the patient.

Some visits involve a referral, often from a family doctor or a physical therapist, or after a visit to an emergency room or urgent care. The NIAMS sports injuries diagnosis and treatment page says “Your primary health care provider can manage most injury-related problems and he or she may refer you to an orthopaedic surgeon, or a sports medicine specialist.” Some patients come with a referral from their doctor and some without; staff check what the patient’s plan requires and do not promise anything either way. Make the hand off from referring clinicians easy, and never offer or accept payment for referrals. See also patient referrals for medical practices, how to get more back pain patients and how to get more knee arthroscopy patients.

2. Keep claims in line with the risk information

MedlinePlus and NIAMS give a balanced picture of hip pain care. Their hip pain, osteoarthritis and joint surgery pages point out the limits.

the MedlinePlus osteoarthritis article says “OA will most likely get worse over time though the pace with which this occurs varies from person to person.”;
the MedlinePlus deciding on knee or hip surgery article says “Surgery may or may not be the right choice for you.” and “Only careful thought can help you make a decision.”

On results, the MedlinePlus osteoarthritis topic page says “Osteoarthritis affects people in different ways, and not everyone has pain.” and the NIAMS what to expect from hip surgery page says “You and your doctor may determine the best treatment for you depending on your health history and the risks associated with the surgery.” What helps differs from patient to patient. Do not promise that hip pain will stop, that a limp will go away, that surgery can be avoided, a return to a sport or to a job, a number of visits, a time frame or any other outcome in ads or on the phone.

Treatment choice belongs in the exam room. The MedlinePlus osteoarthritis topic page says “You and your provider can decide if it’s right for you.” about surgery, and the MedlinePlus deciding on knee or hip surgery article says “A key step is talking to your health care provider about your quality of life and goals for surgery.” Do not push a named treatment, technique, device or add-ons; the specialist explains the options after the evaluation and decides on the plan with the patient.

Write about patients with respect. Do not use fear copy about falling, losing independence, giving up a sport, getting older, money or what other people think, do not blame or shame people about their age, weight, body, fitness, sport, job or how an injury happened, never joke about limping or falls, and avoid shock images and deadline pressure. Never suggest that one body type or activity level is better than another. The NIAMS osteoarthritis page says “Anyone can get osteoarthritis; however, it is more common as people age.” Do not use a named treatment, product, device or technique as an ad hook, and never advertise or promise any treatment, product or prescription as a fix. Keep ad copy aimed at adults, and never target minors in ads or social campaigns. Never aim ads at people who have just had a fall, an injury or an emergency room visit. Do not build ad audiences from hip or other joint problems, arthritis, falls, injuries, emergency room visits, sports or fitness activity, purchases of mobility aids, past treatments, prescriptions, diagnoses, medicines or other health information, and do not use sex or age as a stand-in for hip pain.

Book adults only. If a caller is under 18, or a parent calls to book for a child or teenager, for example about a limp or a hip that hurts after sports, do not book an evaluation; pass the call to the clinical team. The front desk does not judge whether a caller’s age, weight or another health condition changes the plan; that conversation belongs to the specialist. If you text or email about an appointment, use the patient’s own contact details and consent; see texting patients and the TCPA.

Avoid “no surgery”, “non-surgical”, “avoid surgery”, “hip replacement”, “robotic hip surgery”, “hip arthroscopy”, “cortisone shot”, “steroid injection”, “PRP”, “stem cells”, “regenerative”, “shockwave”, “fix your hip”, “walk without pain”, “permanent fix”, “painless”, “pain-free”, “quick recovery”, “same-day”, “no downtime”, “cure”, “risk-free”, “guaranteed results”, “insurance will cover it”, “no referral needed” and “FDA-approved”. Better: “the specialist will ask about your hip and what you have tried, examine your hip and the way you walk, explain the options and decide on a treatment plan with you”.

3. Answer first-call questions honestly

How much does it cost? Give a clear starting price, say what it includes (the evaluation, any imaging, follow-up visits, any in-office treatment, whether medicines, devices and supplies are extra) and that what the specialist finds, the treatment plan the specialist recommends, where it is done and how many visits it includes affect the total. Say whether the evaluation, any imaging, follow-up visits and any in-office treatment are priced separately.
Does insurance pay? Do not promise coverage. Coverage varies by plan, so the practice checks each patient’s plan.
Which treatment do I need, will it work, and do I need surgery? “We cannot tell that on the phone. The specialist will ask where you feel the pain, when and how it started, what makes it worse, how well you can walk and put weight on the leg, what you have already tried, your health and medicines, examine your hip and the way you walk and talk with you about the options and whether treatment makes sense.”
Can I be treated if I take blood thinners or steroids, or have other health conditions? Do not answer either way. Blood thinners, steroids, other medicines and health conditions are questions for the specialist; staff note them on the intake form and the specialist talks them through at the evaluation.
Who does the work? Give the orthopedic surgeon’s or sports medicine physician’s name and real credentials. Let callers check them with the state medical board.

When a caller asks about insurance, staff take the plan details and say the practice will check; they never say the treatment will be covered.

Leave screening to the specialist. Your intake form can ask the patient’s age, the reason for the visit, which hip hurts and where the pain is felt, how long the patient has had it, whether it started after a fall, a sport or another injury or came on slowly, what makes it worse, how well the patient can walk and put weight on the leg, any earlier hip treatment or hip surgery elsewhere and any imaging results, any emergency room or urgent care visit for it, any referral and the referring clinician, current medicines including blood thinners and steroids, allergies and health conditions. The MedlinePlus hip pain article says “See your provider before exercising your hip if you think you may have arthritis or have injured your hip.”; care at home, activity and whether to take or change a medicine are decisions for the patient’s clinicians, never for the front desk. Never tell a caller to stop a medicine by a certain date, and never suggest a medicine, a product, a device or a home remedy. Hip care advice at home is for the specialist to give. The front desk does not judge how urgent a call is. Pass any report of pain, swelling, stiffness or a limp that gets worse, pain that goes down the leg, trouble standing or bearing weight, fever, rash or redness, a new fall or injury, a problem after earlier hip treatment or surgery, hip pain that follows another medical treatment, symptoms that get worse, or a caller who says they feel anxious, stressed or upset about their hip to the clinical team promptly. If a caller says they are thinking about killing or hurting themselves, stay with them and tell them to dial 911 if it is an emergency or to call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, as MedlinePlus advises, then tell the clinical team. If a caller reports any of the signs listed in section 1 during the call, tell them what MedlinePlus or NIAMS says for that sign, as set out there, then tell the clinical team. The specialist decides whether someone is a candidate and which treatment is suitable. Front desk staff only collect the answers. Use the new patient phone script for the rest of the call, and book the evaluation, not the treatment, while the caller is on the line.

4. Plan the evaluation, treatment visits and follow-up

The MedlinePlus hip pain article says “You may need x-rays of your hip or an MRI scan.” The MedlinePlus greater trochanteric pain syndrome article lists “Ask you to stand, walk, sit down and stand up” among the steps of the exam. The MedlinePlus bursitis topic page says “Your doctor will diagnose bursitis with a physical exam and tests such as x-rays and MRIs.” Callers can be told the exam may include standing and walking. Tell callers that the choice of care comes after the exam.

Make second opinions easy, and give patients time to talk through the plan, care of the hip at home and any medicines with the specialist first.

For the evaluation and treatment visits, ask your specialists for written notes on preparing for the visit, what to bring, such as a list of current medicines, any earlier imaging results or reports and any emergency room or urgent care papers, any referral the patient’s plan asks for, care at home as the specialist sets it, warning signs and follow-up visits. On follow-up, the NIAMS osteoarthritis diagnosis and treatment page says “Make appointments to see your health care provider. This allows you to participate in your treatment and talk about your symptoms.” Share them with callers early. Aftercare depends on the treatment; the specialist gives exact instructions and sets the follow-up schedule.

5. Price, finance and follow up

Self-pay patients may be entitled to a good faith estimate; see the good faith estimate guide.
If you advertise a discount, follow advertising prices and specials. Avoid deadline pressure on a treatment decision.
If you offer financing, follow the patient financing guide.
Before-and-after photos need written authorization and honest comparisons; see before-and-after photos. FTC guides treat a patient’s result as typical unless you disclose what patients can generally expect.
Follow up after the evaluation without pressure; see consultation to treatment. Track hip pain requests and referrals separately, from request to evaluation to treatment, and keep the notes the specialist needs for follow-up visits.

Where MediLeadGen fits

MediLeadGen sends practices requests from people interested in cash-pay elective treatments. Each request goes to one practice only, with the person’s consent naming that practice, at a fixed price per delivered request.

See how it works for practices

Questions practices ask

How do we get more hip pain patients?

Answer requests quickly, give clear prices and what they include, introduce the orthopedic surgeon or sports medicine physician by real credentials, keep claims in line with the risk information, make referrals and second opinions easy, and book an evaluation where the specialist can ask where the pain is felt, when and how it started, what makes it worse, how well the patient can walk and bear weight and what has been tried, examine the hip and explain the options before deciding on a treatment plan.

Can we promise callers that their hip pain will go away or that they will not need surgery?

No. MedlinePlus says osteoarthritis affects people in different ways and will most likely get worse over time at a pace that varies from person to person, and that surgery may or may not be the right choice, and NIAMS says the patient and doctor may determine the best treatment depending on health history and the risks of surgery. Staff collect intake answers only, and the orthopedic surgeon or sports medicine physician decides on the treatment plan with the patient after the evaluation.

What should the front desk do when a caller reports hip pain after a fall, other symptoms or feeling upset about their hip?

Collect the intake answers and pass any report of pain, swelling, stiffness or a limp that gets worse, pain that goes down the leg, trouble standing or bearing weight, fever, rash or redness, a new fall or injury, a problem after earlier hip treatment or surgery, hip pain that follows another medical treatment, symptoms that get worse, or a caller who says they feel anxious, stressed or upset about their hip to the clinical team promptly. If a caller reports acute hip pain caused by a serious fall or other injury, a leg that is deformed, badly bruised or bleeding, being unable to move the hip or bear any weight on the leg, or worsening pain with difficulty urinating or having a bowel movement, tell them MedlinePlus says to go to a hospital or get emergency help, then tell the clinical team. If a caller reports any of the fall, leg or weight signs, difficulty standing on one leg, pain that goes down the leg or difficulty with urinary or bowel function, tell them MedlinePlus says to get medical help right away, then tell the clinical team, relaying both lines where both match. If a caller reports severe pain, swelling or bruising, being unable to tolerate any weight on the area or an obvious deformity, tell them NIAMS says to see a health care provider; and if they report hip pain with a fever or rash, sudden hip pain with sickle cell anemia or long-term steroid use, pain in both hips and other joints, a new limp with difficulty on stairs or in walking, osteoarthritis symptoms that are bothersome or get worse, or symptoms that come back, tell them MedlinePlus says to contact their provider; in each case, then tell the clinical team promptly so a clinician can speak with the caller, and relay any emergency line that also matches. If a caller says they are thinking about killing or hurting themselves, stay with them and tell them to dial 911 if it is an emergency or to call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, as MedlinePlus advises, then tell the clinical team. The front desk does not judge how urgent a call is, say what is causing the hip pain or whether a symptom is serious, or suggest a treatment, product or medicine; the clinician decides.

Does insurance cover hip pain care?

Coverage varies by plan. Check each patient’s plan, and do not promise coverage in ads or on the phone.

General information for practice teams, not legal or clinical advice. Check device labeling, FDA requirements, state rules and your advertising with counsel and your clinicians. Last reviewed October 2026.

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How to get more hip pain patients: a plan for orthopedic, sports medicine and hip specialty practices