Hip Assessment

All patients who attend Dr Balakumar will be assessed completely. Assessment includes history, examination, evaluation and investigations to confirm the diagnosis.

As part of the history for patients with hip problems, a hip questionnaire can help Dr Balakumar better understand your hip problem. It is often recommended that you download, complete and return the hip questionnaire via email.

History or Symptoms

Dr Balakumar will ask for your past history, including birth history, family history of hip dysplasia, perthes, slipped upper femoral epiphysis, and other paediatric hip disorders. The symptoms are then analysed for chronicity, via duration of symptoms, location of pain, radiation, aggravating and relieving factors. Associated symptoms are also enquired about.

Social history is also paramount, especially in guiding treatment. Sometimes asking your parents and close relatives or friends, may reflect how much your hip problem has been affecting you. This is the hardest but the most useful aspect of the assessment.

Examination

As part of the examination you will be required to undress to expose your hips, knees and ankles. Shorts or tights can be helpful, when evaluating the hip. Dr Balakumar is very experienced in examining infants through to adults. He will adjust his examination accordingly to make sure that the patient, whether a baby or a fully grown adult, is comfortable when being examined.