Have you been suffering from hip pain for a long time? Perhaps you feel it when you walk, bend over, or even just stand still. You've taken medication and undergone various treatments, but the pain still hasn't completely subsided? Then your doctor may have told you about a problem inside your hip. In such cases, we are going to talk about a special, highly advanced surgery that is used to find the exact problem inside your hip and treat it.
Simply put, what is Hip Arthroscopy?
Hip arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgery . In this procedure, your surgeon makes a few small, buttonhole-sized incisions in the skin of your hip and inserts a special instrument called an arthroscope into your hip joint. Think of it as a tiny camera. The camera and light on the arthroscope allow the doctor to see the damage inside your hip joint on a monitor. The doctor then inserts other delicate instruments through these small incisions to repair any damage to the bones or connective tissue.
Since this method does not involve large incisions, the impact and pain on the body are much less than with regular surgery. That is the biggest advantage of this.
What is the difference between Hip Arthroscopy and Total Hip Replacement?
This is a question that many people have. These two surgeries are completely different. A total hip replacement is a much larger surgery than a hip arthroscopy.
| Hip Arthroscopy (Keyhole Surgery) | Total Hip Replacement |
|---|---|
| It is used to address specific problems that cause hip pain or mobility problems. | When the cartilage in the hip joint is completely worn away or in cases of severe arthritis, the entire joint is replaced with an artificial joint . |
| Only a few small cuts, such as buttonholes, are used. | A significantly larger incision is required. |
| Surgery is usually the first treatment tried when other treatments (medication, physical therapy) have not been successful. | Recommended for severe damage that cannot be cured by methods such as arthroscopy. |
Simply put, your doctor will try to treat your hip joint while preserving it as much as possible. One of the best ways to do this is through a procedure called Hip Arthroscopy.
What conditions can be treated with this surgery?
Hip arthroscopy is a very effective procedure that can treat a variety of hip-related problems. Let's take a look at what they are.
| Medical condition | Simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI) | This is also called hip impingement . This is when the thigh bone (femur) and the hip socket (acetabulum) rub against each other due to the abnormal shape of the hip joint. This causes pain and limited movement. Arthroscopy can remove these abnormally grown bone fragments and stop the impingement. |
| Labral Tears | The labrum is a soft tissue that surrounds the hip joint. This tissue can tear due to an accident, structural problem, or injury. This surgery is used to repair these tears. |
| Removal of loose bone or cartilage fragments | Sometimes small pieces of bone or cartilage can become lodged inside the hip joint and cause pain. These can be easily removed with this surgery. |
| Hip Dysplasia | This means that the thigh bone does not fit properly into the hip bone. This surgery helps to resolve some of the problems that arise due to this. |
| Tendon injury | If the tendons that connect muscles to bones are torn in an accident, this surgery can reattach them to the bone. |
What should you do before surgery?
Your surgeon will explain this to you, but in general you should be aware of the following:
- Stopping certain medications: Tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (including vitamins and herbal remedies). It is especially important to inform your doctor if you are taking blood thinners.
- Quitting smoking: If you are a smoker, it is very important to quit before surgery. Smoking delays wound healing.
- Reduce alcohol consumption: Alcohol can thin the blood, so avoid drinking alcohol before and after surgery.
- Fasting: Your doctor will advise you to refrain from eating or drinking for several hours (usually about 12 hours) before surgery.
What happens after the surgery?
Hip arthroscopy is usually an outpatient procedure, meaning you don't have to stay in the hospital for days.
After surgery, you will need to do the following:
- Wear a special hip brace for about three weeks.
- Use crutches for a few weeks. It is best not to put weight on the operated leg, at least for the first week.
- Apply ice to the injury and keep the leg elevated.
- Keep the wound clean and covered.
- Use the painkillers (usually NSAIDs ) prescribed by your doctor for pain.
- Until the wound heals, use a shower rather than a basin of water when bathing.
The most important thing is physical therapy after surgery. This is essential to regain strength and movement in the hip. This may take several weeks to several months.
How long does it take to heal?
Most people start to feel better after about six weeks, but the time it takes to fully recover depends on the reason you had the surgery.
- Weeks 1-2: You will need to use crutches.
- After 2 weeks: You will be able to walk slowly and put weight on your leg.
- About 3 months: You can usually return to strenuous exercise or sports after about three months.
If you have an office job, you should be able to return to work in about a week or two. However, it's important to talk to your doctor before starting any activity that puts stress on your hips.
If you have these symptoms, see a doctor immediately.
If you experience any of the symptoms below after surgery, call your doctor immediately or go to the hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) .
| Warning signs to look out for | |
|---|---|
| 🚨 | Excessive bleeding or unbearable pain from the incision. |
| 🚨 | Persistent nausea and vomiting . |
| 🚨 | Fever , swelling, redness , or pus-like discharge around the wound (these are signs of infection). |
| 🚨 | Numbness or burning sensation in the groin, thigh, or foot. |
Hip Arthroscopy is a highly successful and advanced surgical procedure used to treat a variety of conditions that cause hip pain. It can help you recover faster, reduce pain, and get back to your normal life. If you have this problem, don't hesitate to talk to your doctor about it and choose the treatment that's right for you.
Take-Home Message
- Hip Arthroscopy is a keyhole surgery used to repair problems inside the hip joint.
- Since there are no large incisions, there is less pain and less recovery time .
- It can treat many conditions, such as FAI, labrum tears, and removal of loose bone fragments.
- Physical therapy is essential after surgery. This is the only way to regain full function of the hip.
- If you experience symptoms such as fever, excessive pain, or swelling after surgery, notify your doctor immediately .
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