If hip arthritis has made walking, sleeping, climbing stairs, or getting out of a chair hard, you want a straight answer about whether replacement makes sense yet. At Ortho Las Vegas, hip replacement is led by Justin B. Limtong, DO, a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon who specializes in adult hip and knee reconstruction. His work includes anterior hip replacement and MAKO robotic-assisted joint replacement.

We do not lead with surgery. Dr. Limtong offers a full range of care, from non-surgical treatment to robotic joint replacement. The first step is finding out what is actually causing your hip pain. Then we walk through every option, including ones that do not involve an operation.

Who this care is for

This page is for adults whose hip pain is limiting daily life. That includes people with hip osteoarthritis that has worn down the joint’s cartilage, people with avascular necrosis of the hip, and people who have tried medication, injections, or physical therapy without lasting relief.

It is also for people who are not sure they are ready. If you want to know how far along your hip is, what non-surgical options are still reasonable, and what replacement would really involve, a visit is a good place to start. Ortho Las Vegas sees patients from Las Vegas, Henderson, Summerlin, and nearby communities.

What hip replacement is

The hip is a ball-and-socket joint. The ball is the top of the femur (thighbone), and the socket is the acetabulum, part of the pelvis. In hip osteoarthritis, the cartilage covering those surfaces wears away. That leads to pain, stiffness, and loss of motion.

In a total hip replacement, the surgeon removes the damaged surfaces and replaces them with implants: a new ball on top of the thighbone and a new lining for the socket. The goal is less pain and better function. Hip replacement is usually considered when pain is severe enough to affect everyday activities and other treatments are no longer helping.

Hip replacement options with Dr. Limtong

Anterior hip replacement

Dr. Limtong lists anterior hip replacement among his procedures. In general terms, the anterior approach reaches the hip joint from the front of the hip rather than the side or back. Whether it is the right approach for you depends on your anatomy, your health, and your hip. That is something Dr. Limtong reviews with you.

MAKO robotic-assisted joint replacement

Dr. Limtong uses the MAKO SmartRobotics™ platform for precise, muscle-sparing hip and knee procedures. In broad terms, robotic assistance helps the surgeon plan the procedure and place implants according to that plan. The surgeon still performs the operation. Robotic assistance is a tool, not a guarantee, and not every patient needs it.

Other hip conditions Dr. Limtong treats

His live bio also lists hip avascular necrosis treatment, labral tear treatment, tendinitis and bursitis treatment, and fracture care. Many hip problems, such as labral tears, femoroacetabular impingement, and bursitis, are often managed without replacement. See hip injuries for the full list.

Non-surgical options first

Replacement is not the only path, and it is not always the first one. Depending on your hip, options can include:

• Medications and activity changes. Anti-inflammatory medication, topical treatments, heat or cold, and weight management to reduce stress on the joint.
• Physical therapy. Exercises to keep the joint moving and build strength around it.
• Injections. Corticosteroid injections into the joint can give temporary relief. Injections are placed with imaging guidance, usually ultrasound, when it helps.
• Orthobiologics. PRP (platelet-rich plasma) and BMAC (bone marrow aspirate concentrate) use your own cells. BMAC may help some people with mild to moderate hip osteoarthritis. Orthobiologics can sometimes delay the need for joint replacement, especially early in joint disease. They are not a cure, they do not work for everyone, and they are rarely covered by insurance.

When cartilage loss is advanced and these options have stopped helping, it is reasonable to talk about replacement.

What makes this practice different

Dr. Limtong completed an Adult Reconstructive Hip and Knee Fellowship at Cleveland Clinic Florida, focused on primary and revision joint replacement. He did his orthopedic surgery residency at Broward Health Medical Center and earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Nova Southeastern University. He is also a Las Vegas local. He moved here from the Philippines as a teenager, went to Sierra Vista High School, and earned his biology degree at UNLV. He speaks English and Tagalog fluently and Spanish at an intermediate level.

He builds each plan around the patient’s lifestyle, and he does not assume surgery is right for everyone. That matches how the whole practice works. The first visit is for your history, an exam, imaging when needed, and a clear plan you understand before choosing a next step.

When to come in

Come in if hip or groin pain is changing how you walk, work, or sleep. Come in if you have morning stiffness, a shrinking range of motion, or pain that wakes you at night. It also makes sense to come in when medication, injections, or physical therapy have stopped working, or when you want a second opinion on whether it is time for replacement.

A hip that has been injured in a fall or collision, or that you cannot put weight on, should be checked promptly. For an emergency, call 911.

What a visit looks like

Call (702) 485-5885 or request an appointment online. Bring a photo ID, your insurance information, a referral if your plan requires one, any X-rays or MRIs you already have, and a list of your medications.

The first visit covers your history, where and when it hurts, and your goals. The exam looks at how your hip moves. X-rays and other imaging are used to see how much the joint has changed. You then get your options in plain language, including what each one can and cannot do.

If you and Dr. Limtong decide on replacement, the team will prepare you for surgery and explain what recovery will take. In broad terms, recovery includes physical therapy and a gradual return to activity over the following weeks and months. Your timeline depends on your health, your hip, and your rehab.

As with any major surgery, hip replacement has risks. In general, these include infection, blood clots, dislocation, a difference in leg length, nerve or blood vessel injury, and implant wear or loosening over time. Dr. Limtong will review the risks that apply to you.

Your care team

Dr. Limtong leads hip and knee reconstruction at Ortho Las Vegas, including MAKO robotic joint replacement, anterior hip replacement, and the Jiffy Knee™ quad-sparing knee replacement approach. See joint replacement for the practice’s other replacement services.

William R. McGee, DO, known as Dr. Roddy McGee, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with fellowship training in sports medicine. He treats sports and overuse injuries, offers orthobiologics, and also performs joint replacement for arthritis of the shoulder, knee, and hip.

Physician assistants Samantha Laub, PA-C, and Jake Bendicion, PA-C, are part of the care team and may see you for evaluations, follow-ups, or injections.

Location and hours

Ortho Las Vegas is at 6190 S Fort Apache Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89148, in Southwest Las Vegas. Our Fort Apache office is near Southern Hills Hospital and easy to reach from Spring Valley, Summerlin, Mountain’s Edge, and the 215 Beltway.

Phone: (702) 485-5885
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Frequently asked questions

Who performs hip replacement at Ortho Las Vegas?

Justin B. Limtong, DO, a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon who specializes in adult hip and knee reconstruction. He completed his hip and knee reconstruction fellowship at Cleveland Clinic Florida. His procedures include anterior hip replacement and MAKO robotic-assisted joint replacement.

Do you offer anterior hip replacement?

Yes. Dr. Limtong lists anterior hip replacement among his procedures. Whether it is the best approach for you depends on your anatomy and your health. He will go over that at your visit.

Is MAKO robotic hip replacement available in Las Vegas?

Yes. Dr. Limtong uses the MAKO SmartRobotics™ platform for hip and knee procedures. Robotic assistance helps with planning and implant placement. The surgeon still performs the operation, and not every patient needs robotic assistance.

How do I know if I need a hip replacement?

Replacement is usually considered when hip arthritis causes pain severe enough to affect everyday activities and other treatments have stopped helping. Imaging and an exam show how far the joint has changed. The first visit is for diagnosis and a clear explanation of your options.

Can PRP or stem cell treatment help me avoid hip replacement?

Maybe, for some people. BMAC (commonly called stem cell therapy) and PRP may help some patients with mild to moderate hip arthritis, and orthobiologics can sometimes delay joint replacement. They cannot rebuild a joint with advanced cartilage loss. Most insurers do not cover them, and costs are discussed before you decide.

How do I make an appointment?

Call (702) 485-5885 during office hours or request an appointment online. The office is at 6190 S Fort Apache Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89148. Hours are Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.