What is a hip arthroscopy typically used for?
Written in association with:In this article below, highly respected and skilled consultant orthopaedic surgeon, Mr Simon Newman, explains in expert detail what a hip arthroscopy is, what it is used for, and how it is performed.
What is a hip arthroscopy?
A hip arthroscopy is a surgical procedure that allows doctors to examine and treat various hip conditions without making a large incision in the skin and other soft tissues. It is also known as keyhole surgery or minimally invasive surgery.
What is a hip arthroscopy typically used for?
Hip arthroscopy can be used to diagnose the cause of hip pain, as well as to perform different types of interventions, such as removing loose fragments of cartilage, repairing tears in the labrum, reshaping the bones of the hip joint, and removing inflamed tissue.
How is it performed?
Hip arthroscopy is performed under general or regional anesthesia, depending on the patient’s preference and the surgeon’s recommendation. The surgeon makes two or three small incisions around the hip, each about half an inch long.
Through one of these incisions, the surgeon inserts a thin tube called an arthroscope, which has a camera and a light at its tip. The arthroscope is connected to a video monitor, which displays a magnified view of the inside of the hip joint.
Through another incision, the surgeon inserts specialised instruments to perform the necessary procedures. The surgeon can see the instruments and the joint on the monitor, and can manipulate them with precision and accuracy. The surgery usually takes one to two hours, depending on the complexity of the case.
What are the advantages of a hip arthroscopy?
The advantages of hip arthroscopy over traditional open surgery include:
- Smaller incisions and scars
- Less damage to the surrounding muscles, tendons, and ligaments
- Less blood loss and risk of infection
- Shorter hospital stay and recovery time
- Faster return to normal activities and sports
Who is the ideal candidate for a hip arthroscopy?
Hip arthroscopy is generally recommended for younger patients with hip pain who do not have severe arthritis or need a hip replacement.
What conditions can a hip arthroscopy be useful for in terms of treatment?
Some of the common conditions that can be treated with hip arthroscopy are:
- Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI): a condition where the shape of the femoral head (the ball of the hip joint) or the acetabulum (the socket of the hip joint) causes abnormal friction and damage to the cartilage and the labrum.
- Labral tear: a tear in the ring of soft tissue that surrounds the acetabulum and helps stabilise the hip joint.
- Loose bodies: fragments of bone or cartilage that break off from the joint surface and interfere with the joint movement.
- Synovitis: inflammation of the synovial membrane, which is the tissue that lines the joint and produces lubricating fluid.
- Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD): a condition where a piece of bone and cartilage detaches from the joint surface due to lack of blood supply and causes pain and instability.
What are the main associated risks?
Hip arthroscopy is not suitable for everyone, and it has some potential risks and complications, such as:
- Allergic reaction to anesthesia
- Bleeding or haematoma formation
- Infection or septic arthritis
- Nerve or blood vessel injury
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE)
- Recurrence of symptoms or need for further surgery
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