Hip Arthroscopy

Hip pain can significantly impact your daily life, making even simple activities challenging. If you’ve been struggling with hip discomfort and conservative treatments haven’t provided relief, hip arthroscopy may be a viable solution. This minimally invasive surgical procedure offers a way to diagnose and treat various hip conditions with a shorter recovery time compared to traditional surgery.

At Precision Orthopaedic Specialties in Chardon, Ohio, we specialize in advanced orthopaedic care, including hip arthroscopy. Our experienced team is dedicated to helping you regain mobility and live a pain-free life. Learn more about our hip specialists and how we can assist you in finding the right treatment for your hip condition.

What is Hip Arthroscopy?

Hip arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgery that can be used to diagnose and treat hip conditions. The procedure uses a special instrument called an arthroscope. It is a flexible tube with a camera on the end.

The camera sends images to a video monitor to allow the orthopaedic surgeon to see inside the hip joint without the need for large incisions. Using the arthroscope, the surgeon can see the extent of the damage to hip joint tissue or any other abnormalities.

When treating hip pain, the surgeon will make one or two small incisions and insert specialized surgical tools. With these tools, the hip surgeon can perform many procedures.

A patient with hip mobility issues being examined by a specialist in Chardon, Ohio.

What Conditions Does Hip Arthroscopy Treat?

Arthroscopic hip surgery can treat several hip conditions, including the following:

Early treatment for these conditions can slow down the progression of hip arthritis, thereby postponing the need for a hip replacement.

Candidates for Hip Arthroscopy

Your orthopedic surgeon may recommend hip arthroscopy if you have a painful hip condition that is not responding to conservative treatments. Non-surgical treatments include rest, anti-inflammatory medications, and physical therapy.

Arthroscopy can be used to treat sports injuries, overuse injuries as well as abnormalities within the hip joint. It can help repair soft tissue injuries such as damage to the labrum, articular cartilage, ligaments, or tendons. It can also be used to correct the shape of the hip bones.

How to Prepare for the Surgery

Before you are recommended for hip arthroscopy, your doctor will evaluate your condition or injury. They will perform a physical exam and consider your medical history. They will also order imaging tests such as X-rays or MRI scans.

Before surgery, you will discuss with the anesthesiologist which type of anesthesia you will use. Hip arthroscopy can be performed either using general anesthesia or local anesthesia.

In the operating room, your surgeon will place your leg in a special positioning device. This device will help position your leg and hip at the angle required for surgery. Your surgeon will then mark out where your bone, nerves, and blood vessels are on your skin. They will also mark where they will make the incisions.

The Hip Arthroscopy Procedure

Your orthopaedic surgeon will begin by making one or more small incisions to allow access to the arthroscope and other surgical tools. Before the arthroscope is inserted, the joint will be filled with a fluid to keep the joint open for the surgery. The fluid will be injected into the joint using a needle.

Using the same pathway as the needle, your surgeon will insert a wire guide for the tube that will carry the arthroscope. Doing this will help minimize damage to healthy tissues. The arthroscope will send a magnified image of the inside of the joint to a monitor, helping the surgeon to identify the problem.

Then, your surgeon inserts miniature tools through the other incisions to treat the condition or injury. After addressing the issue, your surgeon will close the incisions using non-dissolvable sutures or surgical tape strips.

You will then be taken to a recovery room until the anesthesia wears off.

Hip arthroscopy is an outpatient procedure, meaning you will be able to go home on the same day. You may need crutches to keep the weight off your leg. Someone will need to drive you home.

Hip Arthroscopy Recovery

Physical therapy is an important element of your recovery after surgery. A physical therapist will give you exercises and stretches to strengthen your hip and help you regain mobility. Your physical therapist will monitor your progress and advise you when you can put your full weight on your hip. You will likely continue physical therapy for a period of 6 weeks after surgery.

During recovery, you will receive advice on how to avoid blood clots. Measures may include exercises, medications, and compression stockings. Following these guidelines will greatly reduce your risk.

A follow-up appointment will be arranged with your surgeon to remove the sutures. This will also give you an opportunity to discuss your pain level and recovery. You may experience some hip pain where you had the surgery. This can be managed using pain medications. After 3 -6 months, the pain should have gone.

Schedule an Appointment Today

If you’re experiencing hip pain and considering hip arthroscopy, Precision Orthopaedic Specialties is here to help. Our team of dedicated hip specialists in Chardon, OH, will provide a comprehensive evaluation to determine the best treatment options for your condition. Schedule an appointment today and let us help you get back to the activities you love!