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Hip Tendon Tear Recovery Without Surgery

16620 North 40th Street Phoenix, AZ 85032

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FAQs

Yes. At Active Life Physical Medicine & Pain Center in Phoenix, AZ, physicians in the licensed Regenexx network offer interventional orthobiologic procedures designed as an alternative to traditional surgery for hip tendon injuries. Whether related to a specific incident or a long-developing condition, these procedures may help reduce pain and support the body’s natural healing mechanisms. Compared to surgery, these options are typically less invasive and may involve shorter recovery periods and fewer associated complications.

 Regenexx-SDSurgery
Return to Daily Routine2 to 5 days6+ weeks
Return to Sports3 to 6 months1 year
RecoveryBrace, up to 6 weeks PTCrutches, brace, extensive, no driving, 3 to 6 months PT
Pain ManagementMostly over-the-counter pain medication (days)Prescription pain medication for weeks (weeks)
General AnesthesiaNoYes
Keep Your Hip JointYesNo

16620 North 40th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85032

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Doctors

As the medical director and founder of Active Life Physical Medicine and Pain Center, Innovative Surgery Center, and Regena Spa, Dr. Lundquist has great enthusiasm toward regenerative medicines and a special interest in sports medicine and pain. She loves her work and feels blessed to be entrusted to help patients by alleviating painful ailments.

Her desire is to uncover methods that are more healing and less of a “band aid,” which has led her to become a leader in regenerative medicine technologies. She feels strongly about the importance of seeking methods to help alleviate pain on every level – holistically.

Originally a massage therapist and, later, an osteopath, she has a strong foundation to alleviate patient’s pain. She is a “hands on” physician who implements osteopathic techniques when appropriate with other tools.

She is dual board certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation along with pain management, as well as a diplomat with the American Board of Pain Medicine.

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Dr. Bonilla is a double board certified physician (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Interventional Pain Management) with over 20 years of experience treating musculoskeletal conditions and spine injuries in the state of Arizona. Dr. Bonilla prides himself on using the most important tools in Physical Medicine, listening carefully to his patient, and using his hands to perform a careful physical exam. He thoroughly educates his patients on their conditions and treatment options and is a very caring and personable physician, always ensuring his patients are as comfortable as possible.

Dr. Bonilla’s education includes a bachelor’s degree in Materials Science Engineering from Alfred University in New York. He initially worked as a production engineer for DuPont Electronic Materials Inc. for four years. Although he enjoyed his work as an engineer, his passion was always in medicine. As an avid and passionate skateboarder, Dr. Bonilla witnessed and suffered many injuries in his younger years. He witnessed first hand how devastating injuries could be on an active person and he decided to switch careers and study medicine to be able to help people who suffer life changing injuries. Being born and raised in Puerto Rico, Dr. Bonilla attended and graduated from University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine. He then moved to Pittsburgh, PA to complete his internship at UPMC-Mercy Hospital, followed by his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Virginia.

Dr. Bonilla has been performing Regenerative Medicine for more than 18 years. He is trained and highly experienced in the use of ultrasound and fluoroscopy guided injections. He is also trained in the use of PRP and bone marrow concentrate, which contains your own stem cells, to promote the body’s natural ability to heal. Dr. Bonilla works part time at the Phoenix VA Hospital and enjoys helping Veterans with their musculoskeletal issues. He is married and has one son, currently serving as an US Army Honor Guard. He also has 3 step children and 2 grandchildren. As a passionate Mountain Biker for the last 20 years, Dr. Bonilla understands first hand how an injury can affect an individual’s lifestyle. He also enjoys traveling and exploring the outdoors.

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Areas Treated

Cervical Spine (Not Upper Cervical or CCI)*, Elbow, Foot & Ankle, Hand & Wrist, Hip, Knee, Lumbar Spine, Shoulder, Thoracic Spine

*This provider is NOT authorized by Regenexx to treat the C0-C1 or C1-C2 levels of the neck or CCI (craniocervical instability).

How Does The Regenexx Approach Work?

Procedures utilizing Regenexx lab processes are designed to deliver customized formulations, such as bone marrow concentrate or platelet-rich plasma products, precisely to areas of tissue damage within the hip joint. Advanced imaging techniques, including ultrasound or fluoroscopy, guide the placement of these injectates for targeted application.

Cells within the Regenexx SD injectate, which includes bone marrow concentrate containing mesenchymal stem cells, may help support the body’s repair response by promoting new tissue formation and improving joint function over time.

Am I a candidate?

At our Phoenix clinic, your evaluation may include an in-depth assessment by a physician in the licensed Regenexx network. This typically involves movement testing and real-time imaging to identify the source of discomfort and any functional limitations. Based on the findings, a customized treatment plan will be developed, which may include:

Regenexx SD Injectate: Patented protocol using bone marrow concentrate containing mesenchymal stem cells.

Regenexx SCP Injectate: Proprietary high-concentration platelet-rich plasma (PRP) formulation.

Regenexx PL Injectate: A PRP-derived solution known as platelet lysate, designed for targeted delivery of growth factors.

These injectates are prepared using Regenexx lab processes, customized per patient, and administered with image guidance. PRP derivative designed for faster, targeted delivery of growth factors.

Am I a candidate?

FAQs

Not all hip tendon tears result in noticeable pain. In mild cases, like Grade 1 tears, individuals may experience minimal or no symptoms, depending on the extent of tendon fiber damage and inflammation.

Yes. MRI scans can often detect hip tendon tears by providing detailed images of soft tissues, including muscles, tendons, and any surrounding inflammation or structural changes.

Generally, a physician or orthopedic surgeon will initially recommend rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medication for pain relief, massage, stretching, and strengthening through physical therapy. If the problem persists, corticosteroid injections or hip tendon repair surgery are often recommended.1

Hip tendon repair surgery can involve sewing together tears, cutting the tendon to try to get it to heal, or lengthening a tight tendon. While this approach may lead to relief of the pain and other symptoms, shortening or lengthening of the tendon often leads to other problems, including:

  • Severe and permanent injury to the ligaments, muscles, and fascia around the joint
  • Chronic pain
  • Damage to chromosomes caused by debris from hip replacement metal
  • Cobalt and chromium toxicity
  • Tissue irritation that may cause pseudotumors (a growth caused by irritation from the hip replacement device)
  • Allergic reaction to hip replacement materials
  • Hip instability

Moreover, the underlying biomechanical problem that led to the initial tendon injury (hip impingement, tendonitis, tendonosis, arthritis, labral tears, avascular necrosis, etc.) has not been resolved, despite a lengthy recovery. To make matters worse, tendons can have a poor blood supply and therefore may not heal well after surgery, making reinjury more likely.2

Hip tendon tears often affect the gluteus medius and gluteus minimus tendons, which stabilize and move the leg outward. Other affected areas may include the iliotibial (IT) band and hamstring tendons.

Three of the most common causes of damage to the hip tendons are:

Tendonitis occurs as a result of acute inflammation, often due to overuse or repetitive motion. There’s usually no permanent damage to the underlying tissues. 

Tendinosis, on the other hand, occurs when there is chronic damage and degradation to the tendon to such a degree that it becomes hard, thick, scarred, and rubbery. It results in pain and loss of joint flexibility and function, and can involve several tendons surrounding the hip joint. 

Tendon tears, which are typically classified according to severity: 5

  • Grade 1 (Mild): The muscle and/or tendon has been slightly overstretched, but there is no pain or instability.
  • Grade 2 (Moderate): The muscle and/or tendon has been torn slightly, and there may be moderate tenderness, swelling, pain, and bruising as well as some instability and loss of function.
  • Grade 3 (Severe): The muscle and/or tendon is completely ruptured (torn), with severe swelling, pain, and bruising. The patient may be unable to bear weight and have moderate to severe instability and loss of function.

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Please note our procedures are only covered by self-funded health plans at this time.

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How will we communicate with you and provide information about Regenexx? Text is available for quicker response. Message and data rates may apply. Frequency varies. Reply HELP for help, STOP to unsubscribe. We may also reach out via email, phone, or other electronic means.

What about health insurance or medical benefits? What may be covered or reimbursed depends on the details of your plan. Insurance typically covers evaluations and diagnostic testing (if recommended) but most do not cover Regenexx Procedures. Some Employer specific Regenexx Benefits plans do also cover Regenexx Procedures. Your plan’s representative can help verify your benefits, out-of-pocket costs, and coverage.

References

1.Centeno CJ. Efficacy and Safety of Bone Marrow Concentrate for Osteoarthritis of the Hip; Treatment Registry Results for 196 Patients. J Stem Cell Res Ther 2014;04(10). doi:10.4172/2157-7633.1000242.

2. Friedlis MF, Centeno CJ. Performing a Better Bone Marrow Aspiration. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2016 Nov;27(4):919-939. doi: 10.1016/j.pmr.2016.06.009. PMID: 27788908.

3. Centeno CJ, Kisiday J, Freeman M, Schultz JR. Partial regeneration of the human hip via autologous bone marrow nucleated cell transfer: A case study. Pain Physician. 2006 Jul;9(3):253-6.

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