Dallas Hip Surgeon
Dr. Thornton utilizes advanced diagnostic techniques and a thorough understanding of hip biomechanics to accurately diagnose your condition and develop a tailored treatment plan to alleviate your pain and restore optimal hip function.
If you are dealing with chronic hip pain, stiffness, or a sports-related hip injury, Dr. Steven J. Thornton, MD is a fellowship-trained Dallas hip surgeon with the expertise to help. Whether your pain came on gradually from years of athletic activity or developed suddenly after a specific injury, Dr. Thornton takes a precise, individualized approach to identifying the source of your discomfort and getting you back to the activities you love.
Find Relief from Hip Pain and Restore Your Mobility
Understanding the Hip: Anatomy and Common Injuries
The hip joint is a large, weight-bearing ball-and-socket joint, crucial for a wide range of movements including walking, running, sitting, and bending. It’s formed by the articulation of the rounded head of the femur (thigh bone) with the cup-like acetabulum of the pelvis. Strong ligaments, tendons, and surrounding muscles provide stability and power to this essential joint. Due to its complexity and the forces it endures, the hip is susceptible to various injuries and conditions.
Despite how resilient the hip is, it is not immune to wear, overuse, or trauma. Athletes who participate in sports requiring repetitive hip flexion, cutting motions, or impact, such as soccer, hockey, gymnastics, dance, and distance running, are especially prone to hip injuries. However, hip problems are by no means limited to competitive athletes. Active adults, weekend warriors, and even sedentary individuals can develop significant hip pathology that affects daily quality of life.
When hip pain is left unaddressed, compensatory movement patterns often develop, placing added stress on the knees, lower back, and spine. That is why early, accurate diagnosis matters so much. Dr. Thornton combines a detailed clinical examination with advanced imaging to pinpoint exactly what is causing your pain, so that your treatment plan targets the true source of the problem rather than just managing symptoms.
A Closer Look at Dr. Thornton’s Hip Specialties
Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI)
Femoroacetabular impingement occurs when abnormal bony contact between the femoral head and the acetabulum causes friction and damage inside the hip joint. There are two main types: cam impingement, where the femoral head is not perfectly round and grinds against the acetabulum, and pincer impingement, where the acetabulum covers too much of the femoral head. Many patients have a combination of both. FAI is a common cause of groin pain and stiffness in young and middle-aged active patients, and if left untreated, it can progress to labral tearing and cartilage damage. Dr. Thornton treats FAI arthroscopically, reshaping the bone and repairing any damaged tissue through small incisions to relieve impingement and restore pain-free movement.
Hip Labral Tears
The labrum is a ring of cartilage lining the acetabulum that deepens the hip socket, cushions the joint, and helps maintain fluid distribution across the hip’s cartilage surfaces. A torn labrum can cause deep groin pain, a catching or clicking sensation, and a feeling of instability in the hip. Labral tears are commonly seen in patients with FAI, hip dysplasia, or a history of repetitive hip loading. Dr. Thornton performs arthroscopic labral repair, reattaching the torn tissue to the acetabular rim using small anchors, which preserves the labrum’s important function and reduces the risk of long-term joint deterioration.
Trochanteric Bursitis
Trochanteric bursitis refers to inflammation of the bursa located on the outer side of the hip, near the greater trochanter of the femur. It is one of the most common causes of lateral hip pain and is often described as a deep aching or burning sensation on the outside of the hip that may radiate down the thigh. It can be aggravated by walking, climbing stairs, or lying on the affected side. While many cases respond well to physical therapy, activity modification, and corticosteroid injections, Dr. Thornton also offers surgical options for patients with persistent, refractory symptoms.
Why Choose Dr. Thornton as Your Dallas Hip Surgeon
Dr. Thornton’s approach to hip care is grounded in a commitment to minimally invasive techniques, evidence-based treatment protocols, and genuinely personalized care. He takes the time to understand not just your diagnosis, but your lifestyle, your activity goals, and what matters most to you in your recovery. That information shapes every recommendation he makes, from whether conservative treatment is the right first step to which surgical approach will give you the best long-term outcome.
His hip arthroscopy patients benefit from procedures performed through small portals rather than large open incisions, resulting in less tissue disruption, reduced post-operative pain, and faster rehabilitation timelines. Following surgery, Dr. Thornton provides detailed post-operative instructions and works closely with physical therapists to ensure each patient progresses through recovery safely and effectively.
Dr. Thornton sees hip patients at his Dallas office at 7115 Greenville Ave, Suite 310, and serves patients from across the Dallas Fort Worth area including Plano, Frisco, Richardson, McKinney, and Allen.
Common Hip Injury FAQs
Dealing with a hip injury can raise many questions. Here are some frequently asked questions to provide you with more information.
Take the First Step Towards a Pain-Free Hip – Schedule Your Consultation Today
Don’t let hip pain limit your mobility and enjoyment of life. Dr. Thornton is dedicated to providing expert diagnosis and personalized treatment plans for a wide range of hip injuries.