Osi Umenyiora tried to

this offseason, as he figured it was simply another flare-up of a lingering injury that pops up annually during spring workouts.

One month into summer, the pain is still there for the Giants’ beleaguered defensive end. And one expert says it won’t go away without surgery.

Earlier this month, Umenyiora traveled to the Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colo., to visit noted hip specialist Marc Philippon, according to someone informed of the trip and Philippon’s diagnosis. The person, who requested anonymity because neither the Giants nor Umenyiora’s camp has discussed his condition, said Philippon recommended surgery to repair side effects from a torn hip flexor that kept Umenyiora out of five games in 2006.

The person said Philippon, who has performed hip surgeries on the Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez, the Ravens’ Ed Reed, former Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner and several other high-profile athletes, scheduled Umenyiora’s operation for the near future. But Philippon, Umenyiora and the Giants’ medical staff eventually agreed to pass on surgery for now and try to manage the injury because he won’t make it worse by playing through it.

A Giants spokesman declined comment. Umenyiora’s agent, Tony Agnone, wrote in a text message he was unavailable to speak on the matter because he was visiting clients Monday. Umenyiora, who will report to training camp with his teammates on Sunday, could not be reached for comment.

Umenyiora has been able to play through and manage his hip pain the past few seasons. He led the Giants with seven sacks last season and had 13 in 2007 before missing all of 2008 with a knee injury. However, this spring the hip injury was worse than it had been during recent offseasons. The Giants even cited the hip as a reason for his being absent from an organized team activities practice.

The two-time Pro Bowl selection has also been frustrated by being relegated to a part-time role last season and said this offseason he

if he was playing his best football.

With his hip pain refusing to subside, it’s unclear if he’ll reach top form at all this season.

NOTES



Newly signed LB Keith Bulluck said he's "90 percent" recovered

from surgery performed seven months ago to repair a torn knee ligament that cut short his 2009 season and closed out his career with the Titans.

Bulluck, a 33-year-old New City, N.Y., native who signed a one-year deal with the Giants on Saturday, said he’s been told the team is “not going to try to kill me with two-a-days” during training camp, which means he’ll be among the players who will be limited to one practice during days with double sessions.

As for the switch to the middle after a decade of playing the weak side in the Titans’ base defense, Bulluck said it will be similar to his role in the Tennessee defense where he was stacked behind a defensive tackle.

Plus, he’s looking forward to being involved in every play, not just the ones to his side as an outside linebacker.

“If you just play on one side, you know, and you’re the dominant defensive player on your team, they’re usually trying to do things to scheme you up,” Bulluck said, adding: “In the middle, you can run at me, but you can’t run away from me.”

Rookie LB Phillip Dillard ceded his No. 53 jersey

to Bulluck and will wear No. 49 — at least until roster cuts make a number in the 50s available.



Mike Garafolo: mgarafolo@starledger.com