Do you sometimes feel pain or tightness in your hip? Is it difficult to walk, stand up from a sitting position, or bend over? If this pain has not subsided despite taking medication and undergoing physical therapy, today we are talking about a new treatment method that may be of help to you. This is called Hip Arthroscopy.
Simply put, what is Hip Arthroscopy?
This is really simple. Imagine, instead of making a big incision, just making a few small holes in the skin, putting a camera through them, looking at what's wrong inside the hip joint, and treating it right there. That's what this is all about.
Doctors use a special instrument called an arthroscope for this. It is a thin tube about the size of a pencil. It has a small camera and a light at the end. When this is inserted into the hip joint, everything inside the joint can be seen on a large screen. Then, other small instruments are inserted through the same small holes to repair the damaged bone, cartilage, or other tissue.
The incisions are much smaller than in a major surgery. Therefore, the body feels less tired. However, after the surgery, physical therapy is definitely needed to regain strength and movement in the hip. It takes about a few months to fully heal.
Who really needs this surgery?
Doctors usually recommend this surgery for people who have hip pain and other treatments (such as steroid injections and physical therapy) have not worked. This means that they will only consider it after they have determined the exact cause of your pain and tried everything possible to treat it without surgery.
This surgery can also provide great relief to those who have problems such as inability to move their hips properly or getting stuck.
The difference between Hip Arthroscopy and Total Hip Replacement
This is something that confuses many people. These two surgeries are completely different.
- Hip Arthroscopy: This involves preserving your own joint and repairing only the problems in it. This is a minimally invasive surgery.
- Total Hip Replacement (Hip Arthroplasty): This is a major surgery . It involves removing the entire damaged hip joint and replacing it with an artificial joint made of metal and plastic.
Hip replacement is usually performed on people who have a lot of cartilage wear and severe arthritis. For most others, hip arthroscopy is sufficient.
What are the main conditions treated with Hip Arthroscopy?
This surgery can solve a variety of hip problems. Let's take a look at what they are.
| Medical condition | Simply explained |
|---|---|
| Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI) | This is due to an abnormality in the shape of the two bones that make up the hip joint, causing them to rub against each other during movement. This can cause pain and limit movement. |
| Labral Tears | Damage to the soft tissue around the socket of the hip joint called the labrum. This can occur from an accident or a structural defect in the joint. |
| Removing loose bone or cartilage fragments | If the pain is caused by small pieces of broken or dislodged bone or cartilage inside the joint, they can be removed with this surgery. |
| Hip Dysplasia | This is a condition where the thigh bone (femur) is not properly fitted into the hip socket. This can also be corrected to some extent with surgery. |
| Tendon tear or strain | This method is used to reattach the tendons that connect muscles to bones if they have been torn, and to loosen them if they have become tight. |
What should you do before surgery?
Your doctor will give you some instructions before the surgery, and it is very important to follow them exactly.
- Stopping certain medications: You should tell your doctor about all medications you are taking (including vitamins and herbal remedies). Especially if you are taking blood thinners, you will be asked to stop taking them before surgery.
- Quitting smoking: If you are a smoker, quitting before surgery will greatly help the healing process. Smoking delays wound healing.
- Reduce alcohol: Alcohol can thin the blood, which is a risk before and after surgery.
- Fasting: Your doctor will tell you to stop eating and drinking for a few hours before surgery. Follow those instructions carefully.
What happens after the surgery?
This is usually an outpatient surgery , meaning you can go home the same day unless there are any special problems.
After the surgery,
- You will have to wear a special brace around your hip for about three weeks.
- You will need to use crutches for a few weeks. During the first week, you will not be able to put your operated leg down.
- They tell you to put ice on the area where you had the surgery and keep your leg elevated.
- The wound should be kept clean and covered.
- They tell you to take painkillers (such as `NSAIDs`) for the pain.
- Until the wound heals, use a shower instead of soaking in water.
Your doctor will provide you with a specific recovery plan.
What are the benefits and risks of this surgery?
Like any medical treatment, this has both benefits and minor risks.
Advantages
- Faster healing: You may recover faster than after major surgery.
- Less pain: The pain felt after the surgery is relatively less.
- Less scarring: Only small punctures leave no major scars.
- Fewer complications: The risk of complications is lower than with major surgeries.
Risks
- Allergy to anesthesia.
- Blood clots (e.g. Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)).
- Damage to surrounding tissues or nerves.
- Excessive bleeding or swelling.
- Infection.
- Numbness in the thigh, groin, or foot.
- Perhaps, another surgery may be needed if the problem is not completely resolved.
These risks are very rare. Talk to your doctor about them.
How long does it take to heal?
It usually takes about 6 weeks for the wound to heal completely, but this time can vary depending on the reason for your surgery.
- Crutches: You will have to use them for a week or two.
- Physical Therapy: This is an essential part of the healing process. This treatment may last from a few weeks to a few months.
- Exercise and sports: You will need to wait about 12 weeks before you can resume strenuous exercise or sports.
Ask your doctor for the exact schedule for your recovery.
When should you talk to a doctor?
When you go home after surgery, you should be aware of any problems that arise. If you have any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately.
| Symptoms that require urgent attention | |
|---|---|
| Severe pain or bleeding | If the cuts are bleeding uncontrollably or the pain is severe. |
| Nausea and vomiting | If nausea and vomiting continue. |
| Signs of an infection | If you have a fever, redness, swelling, or pus-like fluid draining from the wound. |
Hip Arthroscopy is an increasingly popular surgical procedure that can successfully treat a wide range of hip problems. It allows for a faster recovery and a quicker return to normal life.
Take-Home Message
- Hip arthroscopy is a kind of "keyhole surgery" that treats problems in the hip joint.
- This can be a very effective solution for hip pain that has not been cured by other treatments.
- This is a much simpler, less painful, and quicker recovery method than total hip replacement surgery.
- Physiotherapy is essential for complete recovery after surgery.
- Always talk to your doctor carefully before deciding if this surgery is right for you.
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