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Hip Arthroscopy

Hip Arthroscopy

Arthroscopy, a form of  minimally invasive surgery, is a procedure in which an arthroscope is inserted into a joint to check for any damage and repair it simultaneously.

An arthroscope is a small, fiber-optic instrument consisting of a lens, light source, and video camera. The camera projects an image of the inside of the joint onto a large screen monitor allowing the surgeon to look for any damage, assess the type of injury, and repair the problem.

Hip arthroscopy is a surgical procedure performed through very small incisions to diagnose and treat various hip conditions including:

  • Removal of torn cartilage or bone chips that cause hip pain and immobility.
  • Repair a torn labrum: The labrum is a fibrous cartilage ring which lines the acetabular socket.

Removal of excess bone from the ball and/or socket side of the joint that may result in hip impingement.

Hip arthroscopy is performed under general anesthesia. Dr. Driscoll will make 2 or 3 small incisions about 1/4 inch in length around the hip joint. Through one of the incisions an arthroscope is inserted. Along with it, a sterile solution is pumped into the joint to expand the joint area and create room for the surgeon to work.

The larger image on the television monitor allows Dr. Driscoll to visualize the joint directly to determine the extent of damage so that it can be surgically treated.

Surgical instruments will be inserted through other tiny incisions to treat the problem.

After the surgery, the incisions are closed and covered with a bandage.

The advantages of hip arthroscopy over the traditional open hip surgery include:

  • Smaller incisions
  • Minimal trauma to surrounding ligaments, muscles, and tissues
  • Less pain
  • Faster recovery
  • Lower infection rate
  • Less scarring
  • Early mobilization
  • Shorter hospital stay

As with any surgery, there are potential risks and complications involved. It is very important that you are informed of these risks before you decide to proceed with hip arthroscopy surgery. Possible risks and complications include:

  • Infection at the surgical incision site or in the joint space
  • Nerve damage which may cause numbness, tingling, pain, and weakness
  • Excess bleeding into the joint, a condition called hemarthrosis
  • Blood clots may form inside the deep veins of the legs which can travel to the lungs (pulmonary embolism).

With advances in surgical techniques, arthroscopy plays an important role in diagnosis and treatment of hip diseases, promoting a relatively quick recovery and low rate of post-operative complications