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Harvard-Trained | Board-Certified | 5280 Top Doctor Hip Preservation & PAO | OrthoColorado Hospital
Colorado Hip Preservation & PAO Surgeon
Hip Preservation & Orthopedic Trauma Surgeon
Nimesh Patel, MD is a Harvard-trained, board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip preservation, complex pelvic reconstruction and orthopedic trauma. At Panorama Orthopedics & Spine Center, Dr. Patel treats adolescents and adults with hip dysplasia and other structural hip conditions and performs periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) at OrthoColorado Hospital in Lakewood, Colorado.
His background in pelvic and acetabular reconstruction provides a distinctive foundation for treating complex structural abnormalities of the hip.
Meet Dr. Nimesh Patel
Advanced Hip Preservation Care in Colorado
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Specialized expertise in PAO, hip arthroscopy, complex reconstruction, and joint preservation for patients throughout Colorado and beyond.
PAO Surgery in Colorado for Hip Dysplasia
Periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) is a hip preservation procedure used to treat hip dysplasia, a structural condition in which the hip socket does not adequately cover and support the femoral head. When the socket is too shallow or improperly oriented, increased stress can be placed on the labrum and cartilage and may contribute to pain, instability, and progressive joint damage.
PAO surgery works by repositioning the patient’s own acetabulum, or hip socket, to improve coverage of the femoral head while preserving the natural hip joint. For appropriate patients, the goal is not simply to address pain or repair damaged tissue—it is to correct the underlying structural problem contributing to that damage.
Who May Be a Candidate for PAO?
PAO may be considered for adolescents and adults with symptomatic hip dysplasia who have a joint that is still appropriate for preservation. Determining whether PAO is the right treatment requires more than identifying a labral tear on an MRI. A comprehensive hip preservation evaluation considers symptoms, physical examination, X-rays and other advanced imaging, joint health, activity level, and the three-dimensional structure of the hip.
This distinction is particularly important because hip arthroscopy and PAO address different problems. Arthroscopy can treat conditions inside the joint, such as a damaged labrum or certain forms of impingement, but it does not correct inadequate coverage caused by acetabular dysplasia.
In some patients, both structural and intra-articular problems need to be addressed. In those cases, PAO and hip arthroscopy may be performed together, allowing the surgeon to correct the underlying hip anatomy while also treating associated labral or cartilage pathology.
PAO & Hip Preservation Care in Colorado
Nimesh Patel, MD provides evaluation and surgical treatment for hip dysplasia and complex hip preservation conditions through Panorama Orthopedics & Spine Center. Dr. Patel performs PAO surgery at OrthoColorado Hospital in Lakewood, Colorado, serving patients from Denver, communities throughout Colorado, and those traveling from outside the state for specialized hip preservation care.
Explore PAO & Hip Dysplasia Treatment
What PAO involves, how the hip is repositioned, and what to expect from surgery and recovery.
Learn why treating the labrum alone may not address the underlying structure in hip dysplasia.
Understand how these procedures address different causes of hip pain.
See why both procedures may be recommended for certain patients.
What We Treat
Hip Conditions Treated at Our Denver-Area Clinic
Hip Dysplasia
Abnormal hip socket development that can lead to instability, labral damage, and premature joint degeneration.
Hip Bursitis & Tendonitis
Soft-tissue conditions around the hip that may cause pain with activity, movement, or lying on the affected side.
Labral Tears
Injuries to the ring of cartilage surrounding the hip socket that can cause pain, catching, clicking, or instability.
Hip Arthritis
Degenerative changes within the hip joint that can affect whether joint-preserving treatment remains appropriate.
Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI)
Abnormal contact between the femur and hip socket that can damage the labrum and cartilage over time.
Persistent or Unexplained Hip Pain
Hip pain does not always have an obvious cause on initial imaging. A comprehensive evaluation can help distinguish structural, intra-articular, and soft-tissue causes.
Understanding the diagnosis is the first step. → See how these conditions are treated
How We Treat Hip Conditions
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Periacetabular Osteotomy (PAO)
Repositions the hip socket to improve coverage and stability in patients with hip dysplasia. -
Hip Arthroscopy
A minimally invasive approach used to treat certain problems within the hip joint, including labral and impingement-related pathology. -
Combined Hip Arthroscopy + PAO
Addresses both structural dysplasia and associated problems within the joint when both require treatment. -
Labral Repair & Reconstruction
Preserves or restores the labrum when it is damaged and contributing to pain or instability. -
Femoral Osteotomy
Corrects certain rotational or structural abnormalities of the femur. -
Derotational Femoral Osteotomy
Corrects abnormal femoral rotation that can contribute to hip pain, instability, and altered joint mechanics.
Treatment is guided by the underlying cause of hip pain—not symptoms alone. When surgery is appropriate, the goal is to address the specific structural or joint problem while preserving the natural hip whenever possible.
Conveniently located for patients from Denver, Golden, Lakewood, Boulder, Colorado Springs and communities throughout the Front Range.
Conveniently Located for Patients Across the Front Range
Advancing Hip Preservation From Colorado
Dr. Patel is a founding member of the International Consortium for Hip Preservation (ICHP), a collaborative initiative bringing together hip preservation specialists in Colorado, the United Kingdom and internationally to advance education, research and clinical care.
Patients Travel to Colorado for Hip Preservation Care
For Patients Traveling to Colorado
Patients seeking evaluation for complex hip conditions may travel to Colorado from throughout the United States and internationally. Our team can help coordinate imaging review, consultation and surgical planning when appropriate.
Start with a review of your diagnosis and next steps before making travel arrangements.
Explore resources for international patients considering hip preservation care in Colorado.
What Patients Are Saying
“I was referred to Panorama for a second opinion and got a much clearer diagnosis. The team was incredible, and I had surgery at OrthoColorado just a few weeks later. Now I’m biking again!”
— Patient from Denver, CO
“After being told to wait years for treatment, Panorama gave us answers. Dr. Patel performed PAO surgery at OrthoColorado and my daughter is finally pain-free.”
— Parent from Littleton, CO
Frequently Asked Questions About Hip Preservation & PAO in Colorado
