This minimally invasive surgery can treat a wide range of hip issues.
Arthroscopy is a common, minimally invasive surgical procedure used to diagnose and treat joint problems, including those of the hip. This advanced same-day surgery may be recommended for patients whose hip pain has not responded to nonsurgical treatment methods, and it can treat conditions such as hip impingement and labral or tendon tears.
How Does It Work?
Hip arthroscopy uses a special, small device called an arthroscope, which is a camera with a scope attached for visualization. The device is inserted through a small incision near the hip and delivers images of the inside of the hip joint to a video monitor in the operating room. Using this footage, the orthopedic surgeon can identify and repair any damage. The procedure typically takes one to two hours to complete, during which the patient is placed under general anesthesia. Afterward, patients will receive a personalized recovery plan, including physical therapy and at-home exercises to restore strength and mobility.
The Benefits of Hip Arthroscopy
As a minimally invasive surgery, hip arthroscopy’s benefits include repairing tissue and working through small incisions, which helps reduce postoperative pain. Hip arthroscopy is performed as an outpatient procedure, allowing patients to return to the comfort of their home that same day to begin the recovery process. Most patients are able to resume their usual recreational activities as soon as three or four months after surgery when strength is restored. Hip arthroscopy has been proven across a broad spectrum of patients to be effective in returning patients back to their desired activity level.
An Expert Weighs In
Meet the Author
Rachel Studebaker, BA, English, Summa Cum Laude
Rachel Studebaker is a graduate of Lee University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a minor in advertising. While attending Lee, Rachel served as editor-in-chief and creative director for the school’s biannual publication Vindagua and was a member of Sigma Tau Delta English Honors Society. Since joining CMC Publications as editor, Rachel has assumed the role of managing editor, where she is responsible for the annual development and completion of seventeen publications involving health, wellness, and lifestyles articles that are published in print and online for HealthScope, CityScope, and Choose Chattanooga magazines – premier publications serving S.E. Tennessee and North Georgia.
