Specialized Toolkit Series: Arthroscopic Hip Treatments-Patient Guide to Hip Arthroscopy

Pdf Summary

Hip arthroscopy is a minimally-invasive surgical procedure used to treat various hip conditions. During the procedure, a small camera is inserted into the hip through small incisions, allowing the surgeon to repair issues such as labral tears, cartilage damage, femoro-acetabular impingement (FAI) types like cam and pincer, loose joint fragments, and gluteal or hamstring tendon tears. The surgery involves specialized instruments and may include procedures like acetabuloplasty for pincer impingement and femoral osteoplasty for cam impingement.<br /><br />Hip arthroscopy is not effective for conditions like hip dysplasia, arthritis, osteonecrosis (AVN), or significant pelvic or femoral deformities. Complications from the surgery are rare but can include numbness or pain in the thigh, progression of labral tears or arthritis, hip instability, abnormal bone formation, infections, blood clots, and unresolved pain.<br /><br />On the day of surgery, patients undergo an outpatient procedure, lasting 1 to 3 hours, under general or regional anesthesia. Surgeons use a specialized table for joint distraction and make 2 to 3 small incisions. Intraoperative X-rays guide the procedure, and fluid is used to irrigate the joint. Patients leave with crutches for protected weight-bearing.<br /><br />Post-surgery, patients typically use crutches for about four weeks and may wear a brace to protect the hip. Physical therapy is crucial, beginning a few days post-surgery and continuing for 3 to 4 months. Due to restricted mobility, driving is limited, and patients should plan for significant recovery time away from work.

Asset Caption

F. Winston Gwathmey Jr., M.D.

Keywords

hip arthroscopy

minimally-invasive surgery

labral tears

femoro-acetabular impingement

acetabuloplasty

femoral osteoplasty

post-surgery recovery

physical therapy

surgical complications

outpatient procedure