Second Opinion for Hip Pain or Hip Surgery
Told you need hip surgery, or not sure about your treatment plan? Dr. Dold will review your imaging, examine your hip and explain every option.
Hip surgery is a big decision. A second opinion can confirm a diagnosis, give you options you haven’t heard about, or give you the confidence to move forward. Dr. Dold is happy to see patients who have already been evaluated elsewhere. Getting a second opinion is a normal, respected part of medical care.
When a second opinion makes sense
- You’ve been told you need a hip replacement and want to understand your options, including the direct anterior approach
- You’ve been told you need hip arthroscopy, or that you’re “too young” or “too old” for a treatment
- You have hip pain and no clear diagnosis, or diagnoses that don’t agree
- Injections, therapy or a previous surgery haven’t helped
- You’re an athlete deciding between surgery and rehab, and timing matters
What Dr. Dold does at a second-opinion visit
- Reviews your records: prior notes, imaging and operative reports.
- Examines your hip, and looks at the spine and other sources of pain that can mimic hip problems.
- Gets X-rays at the same visit when needed.
- Explains your options, including non-surgical treatment, in plain language, and answers your questions.
Sometimes the answer confirms the plan you already have. Sometimes it’s a different diagnosis or a less invasive option. Either way, you leave with a clear understanding of your hip.
What to bring
- Your MRI, CT and X-ray images (on disc or via an online link) and the written reports
- Notes from the doctors you’ve seen and any operative reports
- A list of treatments you’ve tried, such as physical therapy and injections, and whether they helped
- Photo ID, insurance card and a list of your medications
Insurance and scheduling
We accept most major insurance plans, including Medicare and Tricare. Please call 469-850-0680 to confirm your coverage; our team can also check it when we call you. Request an appointment online and our staff will contact you by phone and text within an hour during business hours. Out-of-area patients can send records ahead of time for review before traveling.
Not sure what’s causing your pain? Start with our hip pain guide.
Why see Dr. Dold
- Hip arthroscopy research in AJSM and JBJS Reviews; Stryker Advanced Hip Arthroscopy Course (2018)
- Board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, with subspecialty certification in Sports Medicine
- Fellow of the American Orthopaedic Association (FAOA), the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (FAAOS), the American College of Surgeons (FACS) and the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada (FRCSC)
- Sports medicine and arthroscopy fellowship at NYU Langone / Hospital for Joint Diseases; orthopedic residency at the University of Toronto
- Member of the International Society for Hip Arthroscopy (ISHA)
- D Magazine Best Doctors (Collin County), 2019–2026 · Rated 4.9 on Google
Frequently asked questions
Should I get a second opinion before hip surgery?
It’s reasonable for any planned surgery, especially if you have questions about the diagnosis, the approach, or whether non-surgical options have been tried.
Will my surgeon be offended if I get a second opinion?
Second opinions are a normal part of medical care, and most surgeons welcome them.
Does insurance cover a second opinion?
Many plans cover it like a regular specialist visit. Our team can check your coverage when we call.
What should I bring to a second-opinion visit?
Your imaging and reports, prior doctors’ notes and any operative reports, plus a list of the treatments you’ve tried.
Can I get a second opinion on a hip replacement recommendation?
Yes. Dr. Dold specializes in direct anterior hip replacement and will also tell you honestly if non-surgical treatment is still reasonable.
Research cited on this page
- Philippon MJ, Schenker ML, Briggs KK, et al. Revision hip arthroscopy. Am J Sports Med. 2007;35(11):1918-1921. PubMed
In 37 patients who needed a second hip arthroscopy, untreated or residual impingement was the most common finding (36 of 37 hips). - Byrd JW, Jones KS. Diagnostic accuracy of clinical assessment, magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance arthrography, and intra-articular injection in hip arthroscopy patients. Am J Sports Med. 2004;32(7):1668-1674. PubMed
Relief from a numbing injection into the hip joint was 90% accurate for finding a problem inside the joint. Standard MRI missed the problem in 42% of hips in this series. - Griffin DR, Dickenson EJ, Wall PDH, et al. Hip arthroscopy versus best conservative care for the treatment of femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (UK FASHIoN): a multicentre randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2018;391(10136):2225-2235. PubMed
In a randomized trial of 348 patients, hip arthroscopy improved hip-related quality of life more than a personalized physical therapy program at 12 months. - Palmer AJR, Ayyar Gupta V, Fernquest S, et al. Arthroscopic hip surgery compared with physiotherapy and activity modification for the treatment of symptomatic femoroacetabular impingement: multicentre randomised controlled trial. BMJ. 2019;364:l185. PubMed
In a second randomized trial, patients treated with arthroscopic surgery reported better hip function at 8 months than those treated with physiotherapy and activity modification. - Andronic O, Claydon-Mueller LS, Cubberley R, et al. Inconclusive and contradictory evidence for outcomes after hip arthroscopy in patients with femoroacetabular impingement and osteoarthritis of Tönnis grade 2 or greater: a systematic review. Arthroscopy. 2022;38(7):2307-2318. PubMed
For hips with moderate or advanced arthritis, results of hip arthroscopy were inconsistent, and some studies reported 35% to 70% of patients going on to hip replacement.
Same-day appointments available. Dr. Dold accepts most major insurance plans, including Medicare and Tricare. Please call 469-850-0680 to confirm your coverage.
Medically reviewed by Andrew P. Dold, MD, FAOA, FAAOS, FACS, FRCSC. Last reviewed October 2026. This page is general information, not medical advice.
