Hip Injection in NYC
by Dr. Sonali Lal, M.D. — Board-certified physiatrist with more than 20 years of experience in musculoskeletal and interventional orthopedic medicine.
in NYC
Precision Hip Care by a Recognized Expert
I am Dr. Sonali Lal, M.D., a board-certified physiatrist with more than 20 years of experience in musculoskeletal and interventional orthopedic medicine, and I evaluate chronic hip pain through a precision-based, diagnosis-first approach here in Manhattan.
One of the first things I explain to patients is this:
Hip pain is not always coming from the hip joint itself.
Many patients across New York City come to me believing they have arthritis or a hip injury, only to discover the discomfort is being influenced by surrounding tendons, bursae, muscles, nerves, or even the lower back.
Some patients say:“I thought I pulled something, but the pain keeps coming back.”
Others tell me:
“Walking hurts, sitting hurts, and I do not know what is causing it.”
The hip is one of the body’s most important weight-bearing joints. It helps you walk, sit, stand, climb stairs, exercise, and maintain balance. When pain develops, everyday movement can quickly become frustrating and limiting.
A hip injection is one of the treatments I may recommend when inflammation, joint irritation, tendon dysfunction, or chronic pain continues interfering with movement and quality of life.
What I want my patients to understand is this. A hip injection is not simply about numbing pain. My goal is understanding the true source of symptoms, reducing inflammation where appropriate, and helping restore long-term mobility and function.
I evaluate patients across NYC at my Manhattan clinic using advanced musculoskeletal and interventional orthopedic expertise to identify the true cause of chronic hip pain.
— Dr. Sonali Lal, M.D.
I explain to my patients that hip pain is frequently misunderstood and often involves more than one structure.
One of the most common misconceptions I hear is: “It must be arthritis.” Sometimes that is true. But not always.
The hip region includes:
Pain may come from one structure or several contributing at once.
During evaluation, I often assess for:
Patients often describe: “Pain in the groin when I walk.” Others explain: “The outside of my hip hurts every time I lie on it.”
Persistent hip pain deserves a detailed explanation rather than assumptions. The most important step is identifying what structure is responsible for symptoms.
I carefully evaluate chronic hip pain at my Manhattan practice because persistent symptoms deserve precise answers rather than generalized treatment.
— Dr. Sonali Lal, M.D.
Evaluating Your Condition
Before recommending a hip injection, I carefully determine whether it is truly the right treatment for your condition. One of the most important things I explain to patients is this: Not everyone with hip pain needs an injection.
When you sit with me, I evaluate:
I also ask: Does walking worsen symptoms? Is the pain deep in the groin or outside the hip? Does sitting or sleeping aggravate symptoms? Are stairs difficult? Is exercise becoming limited?
Treatment recommendations vary significantly depending on the diagnosis. For example: Arthritis-related inflammation may require one strategy. Hip bursitis may require another. Tendon-related pain often needs a different treatment approach. Muscle imbalance and instability frequently require rehabilitation alongside treatment.
This is why I do not believe in generalized orthopedic care. Precision begins with diagnosis.
I carefully guide patients through a detailed musculoskeletal evaluation at my Manhattan clinic to determine whether hip injections are appropriate and aligned with long-term recovery goals.
— Dr. Sonali Lal, M.D.How I Match Treatment to Your Condition
I explain that there are different types of hip injections and that treatment should match the condition. Many patients assume all injections are essentially the same. That is not true.
Depending on your diagnosis, treatment may include:
Corticosteroid Injections
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)
Regenerative Orthopedic Procedures
Therapeutic Image-Guided Injections
Each treatment serves a different purpose. For some patients, reducing inflammation becomes the immediate goal. For others, supporting tissue healing or reducing chronic irritation becomes more important.
The better question is not: “Can I get a hip injection?”
The more important question is: “What exactly are we treating?”
As a physician specializing in musculoskeletal medicine and regenerative orthopedics, I carefully match treatment to the condition rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach. This individualized decision-making process matters tremendously for long-term outcomes.
I develop personalized hip treatment plans for patients across NYC using advanced musculoskeletal expertise and evidence-based decision making.
— Dr. Sonali Lal, M.D.Why Precision Matters Tremendously
I perform hip injections using advanced image guidance because precision matters tremendously. The hip joint sits deep within the body and is surrounded by important tendons, nerves, muscles, and soft tissue structures. Treating the wrong location may lead to disappointing outcomes.
When appropriate, I use ultrasound guidance to visualize:
This allows treatment to be delivered with greater accuracy.
Patients often tell me: “I assumed injections just went near the painful spot.” In reality, image guidance improves precision and helps ensure treatment reaches the intended structure.
The goals of image-guided hip treatment include:
As a physician specializing in image-guided orthopedic care, I focus heavily on safety and individualized treatment.
I perform advanced hip injections at my Manhattan clinic using image-guided techniques designed to maximize precision and patient safety.
— Dr. Sonali Lal, M.D.
Addressing the Entire Musculoskeletal System
I help patients understand how hip pain affects movement throughout the entire body. Hip pain rarely stays isolated. When the hip hurts, patients commonly begin compensating without realizing it.
Over time, altered movement patterns may contribute to:
Patients often tell me: “I stopped exercising because walking hurts.” Or: “I feel stiff after sitting.”
In a city like New York where movement is part of everyday life, chronic hip pain can become incredibly disruptive.
My goal is not simply to reduce symptoms. It is helping patients move comfortably again and regain confidence during everyday activity.
I regularly evaluate movement mechanics at my Manhattan practice because chronic hip dysfunction often affects the entire musculoskeletal system.
— Dr. Sonali Lal, M.D.Patients commonly seek treatment for:
Hip pain while walking
Groin pain or stiffness
Pain when climbing stairs
Hip arthritis symptoms
Pain sleeping on one side
Tendon or bursa-related irritation
Persistent pain after injury or repetitive strain
Long-Term Recovery & Rehabilitation
I emphasize rehabilitation and long-term recovery rather than relying on injections alone. An injection may reduce inflammation or improve symptoms, but lasting improvement depends on correcting the underlying contributors to pain.
Depending on your condition, treatment may include:
For many patients across NYC, small movement corrections dramatically improve long-term outcomes.
My goal is helping patients return to:
Treatment should support long-term function, not temporary symptom relief alone.
I create individualized recovery plans at my Manhattan clinic designed to support both symptom improvement and long-term hip health.
— Dr. Sonali Lal, M.D.Recognized Expertise & Academic Leadership
I bring recognized expertise, academic leadership, and patient-centered orthopedic care to hip treatment in NYC. With more than 20 years of experience in musculoskeletal medicine and interventional orthopedics, I have helped patients across New York City recover from chronic joint, tendon, and musculoskeletal pain using precise, minimally invasive treatment approaches.
Patients trust my approach because it is thoughtful, evidence-based, individualized, and focused on restoring long-term movement and quality of life.
I bring my full clinical expertise and dedication to patient care to every person I evaluate at my Manhattan practice.
— Dr. Sonali Lal, M.D.Board-Certified Physiatrist
Certified specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation
Attending Physician
NewYork–Presbyterian Hospital
Assistant Clinical Professor
Columbia University
Castle Connolly Best Doctors in NYC
Recognized among top physicians in New York City
Best Woman in Medicine
National recognition for excellence in medicine
Published & Featured
The New York Times, New York Magazine, published author in interventional orthopedics
Upper West Side, Manhattan
Conveniently located at 240 West 73rd Street, serving patients across all of NYC
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Common Questions About Hip Injections
Hip injections may help arthritis, bursitis, tendon irritation, inflammation, hip pain during walking, and chronic musculoskeletal dysfunction depending on the diagnosis.
I regularly evaluate patients at my Manhattan clinic experiencing chronic hip pain and mobility limitations.
— Dr. Sonali Lal, M.D.Most patients tolerate hip injections well. Mild soreness afterward is possible but typically temporary.
I use careful, image-guided technique at my Manhattan clinic to maximize patient comfort and procedural precision.
— Dr. Sonali Lal, M.D.The answer depends on what structure is causing pain. Some patients improve with therapy alone, while others benefit from targeted injection treatment.
I carefully evaluate whether hip injections are appropriate based on your diagnosis, symptoms, and long-term goals.
— Dr. Sonali Lal, M.D.In some patients, targeted treatment combined with rehabilitation may help delay or avoid surgery.
I focus on advanced, non-surgical orthopedic care at my Manhattan clinic whenever appropriate.
— Dr. Sonali Lal, M.D.Schedule Your Consultation
Contact us today to schedule your evaluation at our Upper West Side clinic. Dr. Sonali Lal, M.D. will personally review your case and create an individualized treatment plan to address your chronic hip pain.
New York, NY 10023
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