What hip and groin conditions does Dr Wells treat?

Dr Wells treats the full spectrum of hip and groin conditions including femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), labral tears, hip osteoarthritis, hip stress fractures, adductor tendinopathy, greater trochanteric pain syndrome, hip flexor tendinopathy, hamstring origin tendinopathy, athletic pubalgia, snapping hip syndrome, and referred pain from the lumbar spine or sacroiliac joint.

Do I need surgery for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI)?

Not necessarily. Many FAI presentations respond well to conservative management including targeted exercise, activity modification, and where appropriate, injection therapy. Surgery is considered when symptoms persist despite adequate conservative treatment or in specific structural situations. Dr Wells will review your imaging, assess your function and goals, and guide appropriate management.

Hip & Groin Injuries

Expert assessment for complex hip and groin pain - accurate diagnosis from multiple potential sources in this challenging anatomical region. FAI, labral tears, gluteal tendinopathy, adductor injuries and more.

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Understanding Hip & Groin Injuries

Hip and groin pain is among the most challenging musculoskeletal presentations to diagnose - and it is frequently underdiagnosed or undertreated. The region has complex overlapping anatomy: bone, joint, muscle, tendon, nerve, and referred pain sources can all produce similar symptoms, and accurate diagnosis requires thorough clinical assessment, often supported by targeted imaging.

Whether your hip pain is limiting your running, making it hard to get out of a chair, or disrupting sleep, specialist assessment can identify the specific source and guide effective treatment.

Hip Joint Conditions

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) - Bony morphology of the hip causing pain with certain movements, particularly deep flexion. May be cam-type, pincer-type, or mixed.
Labral tears - Tears of the cartilage ring lining the hip socket, often associated with FAI. May cause clicking, catching, and deep groin pain.
Hip osteoarthritis - Degenerative joint changes causing progressive pain and stiffness. See the Osteoarthritis Clinic for management.
Hip stress fractures - Serious overuse injuries of the femoral neck requiring urgent specialist assessment. See Bone Stress Injuries.

Tendon & Muscle Conditions

Adductor tendinopathy - Groin pain related to the inner thigh tendons, common in sports with kicking, change of direction, and acceleration.
Greater trochanteric pain syndrome - Lateral hip pain from gluteal tendinopathy and/or trochanteric bursitis. Common in runners and more prevalent in women.
Hip flexor tendinopathy - Anterior hip pain with activities involving hip flexion.
Hamstring origin tendinopathy - Deep buttock pain originating from the hamstring attachment on the ischial tuberosity.

Other Hip & Groin Conditions

Athletic pubalgia (sports hernia) - Complex groin pain in athletes, often requiring multidisciplinary assessment and management.
Snapping hip syndrome - Audible or palpable snapping from tendons catching over bony prominences.
Referred pain - Hip and groin pain can originate from the lumbar spine, sacroiliac joint, or other structures.
Nerve entrapments - Including lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (meralgia paraesthetica) and obturator nerve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a GP referral to see Dr Wells?

A GP referral is not required but is recommended. Dr Wells has access to top-tier Medicare rebate rates (MBS A4), so with a referral your rebate is maximised, with approximately $150 rebate back to you on an initial consultation. Without a referral, the full specialist fee applies with no Medicare rebate. See the FAQ page for more detail.

Does private health insurance cover the consultation?

Private health insurance does not cover specialist medical consultations. However, Dr Wells has access to top-tier Medicare rebate rates (MBS A4), so with a valid GP referral your rebate is maximised, with approximately $150 rebate back to you on an initial consultation. Dr Wells can also refer for Medicare-rebateable MRI scans. See the FAQ page for more detail.

How long will I wait for an appointment?

Routine appointments are typically available within 1-2 weeks. Urgent referrals are prioritised and can often be seen sooner. Contact the clinic on (07) 5415 0428 for urgent bookings.