Hip Arthroscopy: Surgery & Recovery
What is Hip Arthroscopy?
Hip arthroscopy is a surgical procedure recommended for patients whose hip pain and function do not resolve with nonsurgical treatment, such as rest, medication and physical therapy. It is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that is used to treat a variety of hip injuries and conditions, including labral tears, hip impingement, synovitis, bursitis, and snapping hip syndrome. Because hip arthroscopy is less invasive than open surgery, recovery time is quicker.
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Common Conditions That Warrant a Hip Arthroscopy Hip Injuries
Several conditions affecting the soft tissues and bone structure of the hip may be evaluated and treated arthroscopically. These include:
Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI) occurs when abnormal bone protrusions(i.e CAM and pincer lesions ) cause irregular contact between the femur and acetabulum, giving the hip bones an irregular shape. This can limit range of hip motion and contribute to pain, stiffness, and progressive labral damage. These abnormalities can be congenital, or may develop from repetitive trauma during sports activity.
Labral tears of the hip often occur due to sudden injury or repetitive motion. Structural abnormalities, such as CAM and pincer lesions, can also increase the likelihood of developing a labral tear. A labral tear can cause pain in the hip or groin, as well as stiffness and limited range of motion in the hip. Patients may also experience a locking, clicking, or catching sensation in the hip with a labral tear.
Hip abductor tears involve damage to the tendons that help stabilize the pelvis and support side-to-side movement. These injuries can lead to lateral hip pain, weakness, and difficulty standing, walking or maintaining balance, particularly during weight-bearing activities.
Trochanteric bursitis is characterized by inflammation of the fluid-filled bursa located over the outer hip. This condition often causes localized pain and tenderness along the outside of the hip, which may worsen with prolonged standing, walking, or lying on the affected side.
Snapping hip syndrome occurs when a muscle or tendon rubs against one of the hip bones, creating a snapping or popping sensation. While snapping hip syndrome is sometimes painless, repetitive rubbing can eventually cause inflammation and pain.
Although many of these conditions respond to conservative care, ongoing pain or mechanical symptoms may suggest a more complex issue within the joint. In these cases, further evaluation can help determine whether hip arthroscopy is an appropriate next step.
Who Is a Candidate For a Hip Arthroscopy?
Determining candidacy for hip arthroscopies requires a careful evaluation of symptoms, medical history and response to prior treatments. At Seaview Orthopaedics, candidates are typically patients who:
- Are or have experienced persistent hip pain that’s interfering with their daily routine or athletic activity.
- Have not improved with conservative care such as physical therapy, medications, or injections
- Have medical images (like X-rays or MRIs) that show hip issues that can be fixed through surgery.
A thorough consultation with a hip specialist is essential to confirm whether surgical treatment is appropriate for your condition. At Seaview Orthopaedics, our hip specialists and surgeons perform detailed evaluations to help patients understand their diagnosis and determine the most appropriate path forward.
Is a Hip Arthroscopy Worth It? (The Benefits You Should Know)
For patients whose hip pain has not improved with rest, medication, or physical therapy, hip arthroscopy may be seen as a highly effective “worth it” treatment option. Its minimally invasive approach allows hip surgeons to address the source of pain while offering several benefits that support your recovery and long-term function, including:
- A chance of reduced disruption to surrounding muscles and soft tissue.
- Smaller incisions, often leading to less postoperative pain and improved cosmetics.
- Its role as an outpatient procedure, so patients have the ability to return home the same day.
As with any surgery, hip arthroscopy carries potential risks that should be considered alongside its benefits before moving forward with treatment.
What Are The Risks of a Hip Arthroscopy?
Hip arthroscopy is generally considered safe when performed by an experienced surgical team, but as with any surgical procedure, there are potential risks that patients should consider before choosing treatment. These may include:
- Risks related to anesthesia and standard surgical complications
- Temporary nerve or soft tissue irritation related to surgical traction
- Rare neurovascular injuries
- Latrogenic to surrounding hip structures
- The chance of hip conditions or hip pain recurring resurfacing
- A lack of relief after surgery
Your surgeon will review these risks with you in detail based on your specific diagnosis and overall health to help ensure you have a clear understanding of expected outcomes. At Seaview Orthopaedics, our hip specialists and surgeons use advanced surgical techniques and careful preoperative planning to help minimize these risks and support the best possible recovery experience for each patient.
How to Prepare for a Hip Arthroscopy
Preparation for a hip arthroscopy often involves a structured preoperative process designed to ensure safety and optimal surgical planning. At Seaview Orthopaedics this will often involve one of our surgeons reviewing your medical history, performing imaging tests, and providing you with detailed pre-surgical instructions.
What Happens During a Hip Arthroscopy?
During the procedure, one of our board-certified hip surgeons will make a few small incisions to insert the arthroscope. The arthroscope is a small camera that displays images from inside the joint on a video screen. Other small incisions are made to insert operating instruments and perform the surgery.
Depending on your condition and their findings, our surgeons may repair a torn labrum, remove inflamed synovial tissue, smooth out damaged cartilage, or remove bone spurs during the procedure.
What Does Recovery from a Hip Arthroscopy Look Like?
Recovery after hip arthroscopy begins immediately, but it is a gradual process that is carefully guided by your surgeon and care team. In most cases, patients will be able to return home the same day as surgery.
In the initial stages of recovery, priority will be placed on protecting the hip from intense movement. This often includes temporary weight-bearing restrictions,along with the use of crutches, a walker or a brace to provide support and reduce stress on the joint.
Patients can expect to begin outpatient physical therapy 2-3 days post surgery. This early rehabilitation will play an important role in restoring movement, improving strength and helping patients successfully progress through recovery.
Remember, your specific pathology will dictate your postoperative protocol and recovery timeline. Most patients are cleared for return to sport and athletic activity by six months.
Hip Arthroscopy Surgery & Surgeons in New Jersey
At Seaview Orthopaedic & Medical Associates, our hip specialists bring 40+ years of experience in diagnosing and treating complex hip conditions, including those that may benefit from a hip arthroscopy. Our board certified surgeons that can help assist in your hip arthroscopy include Dr. Kenneth Chern, who has extensive experience in hip arthroscopy and has trained under one of the founding fathers of hip arthroscopy, Dr. J. W. Thomas Byrd, and Dr. Paul Allegra, who is experienced in hip arthroscopy, minimally invasive procedures.
If you think hip arthroscopy may be right for you and would like to book an appointment or visit one of our eight New Jersey office locations, contact us today.
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