Overview

Hip arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure to diagnose and treat various hip joint conditions. It involves inserting a small camera called an arthroscope into the hip joint through small incisions, allowing the surgeon to view and address issues such as labral tears, hip impingement, or cartilage damage.

The hip joint is one of the largest joints in the human body, supporting and maintaining its balance. The joint helps a human balance the weight on both legs and support the upper body. It also keeps the thigh bone and the hip bone connected. The hip joint is in a ball and socket formation and helps a human to move, flex, turn around, and perform circular motions.

Hip joint damage can significantly affect an individual's routine functions. The damage can make it difficult for the patient to maintain the body weight appropriately. This damage can occur due to hip strains, bursitis, hip dislocations, or a broken femur. Under such situations, the joint cannot perform its functions. A hip arthroscopy or hip surgery is a procedure that comes to the rescue to help the affected individual resume routine functions.

Who needs hip arthroscopy?

Hip arthroscopy may be recommended for individuals who experience persistent hip pain or have hip joint conditions such as labral tears, hip impingement, cartilage damage, loose bodies, or hip instability. It is typically considered when conservative treatments have not provided sufficient relief or improvement. The decision to undergo hip arthroscopy is made by a medical professional based on the specific needs and conditions of the individual. Mentioned below are also some of the reasons that state the need for hip surgery:

Femoroacetabular Impingement- Also known as FAI, this medical condition occurs when bone spurs tear the cushiony supports of the hip joints. The excess bone may grow on the femoral head leading to osteoarthritis. Under such conditions, the individual experiences extreme pain and cannot put weight on the hip joint and maintain the body's balance.
Dysplasia- A hip joint comprises a ball and a socket. A person who is suffering from dysplasia has a shallow socket. The condition pressures the labrum to keep the femoral head intact inside the socket. It increases the chances of the labrum tearing up.
Snapping Hip Syndrome- Snapping hip syndrome is a medical condition in which the hip tendon continuously rubs outside the hip joint. The condition does not cause any severe injury or damage to the hip joint, but the continuous rubbing of the tendon may hamper the hip joint and can be repaired with the help of surgery.

What is the procedure of hip arthroscopy?

Like other surgeries, a patient is given anaesthesia before hip surgery. It helps make the patient sleep during the surgery to avoid discomfort and pain. To begin the surgery, the surgeon tries to pull away the hip from the joint as much as possible for a clear view of the hip joint and operate the problematic area easily. A surgeon may also mark points on the hip for delicate surgery and valid points for incisions.

Then an arthroscope is inserted inside the hip through a small incision for a clear view of the hip joint. A fluid flows through the arthroscope to avoid excessive bleeding. After identifying the issue with the help of proper analysis, the doctor inserts small instruments to operate the issue. To wrap up the surgery, the surgeon closes the incisions with the help of skin tapes.

Complications of Hip Arthroscopy

Nerve injury is one of the possible complications in the case of hip surgery. The tissues near the surgical area may get damaged.

The traction observed during the surgery may numb the groin area for a few days post-surgery.

The individual operated on may also face other health issues such as infection, blood clots, swelling, or inability of the joint to move comfortably.

Post-Surgery Care of Hip Arthroscopy

Mentioned below are the guidelines to be followed after the surgery to pace up the recovery process:

Ice Packs- Icing helps lower the swelling an operated patient might experience. It also helps to lower the irritation and the tingling sensation post-surgery.
Medications- Doctors may recommend NSAIDs or Opioids to lower the pain. The medications should be consumed as the doctor instructs for a speedy recovery.
Light Activity- The doctor suggests light activity after the surgery. It helps smoothen motion after the surgery and avoids any locking of joints.

When to Consult a Doctor

You can also get in touch with the expert Ortho doctors at Narayana Healthcare based in your city to get immediate attention and medical support during injuries, health disorders or any other health concern.

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Conclusion

Hip arthroscopy is an essential procedure in some instances involving hip joint conditions. It is a minimally invasive surgical technique that allows orthopaedic surgeons to diagnose and treat various hip problems. Arthroscopy can be beneficial for conditions such as labral tears, hip impingement, loose bodies, cartilage damage, and synovitis. The procedure involves inserting a small camera called an arthroscope into the hip joint, allowing the surgeon to visualise and address issues precisely. Compared to traditional open surgery, hip arthroscopy typically results in smaller incisions, less tissue trauma, reduced pain, faster recovery, and improved patient outcomes. However, the necessity of hip arthroscopy depends on the specific condition and the recommendations of a healthcare professional after thorough evaluation and diagnosis.

FAQs about Hip Arthroscopy

Q. What is hip arthroscopy?
A. It is a minimally invasive surgical procedure to repair or remove the damaged part of the hip joint and lower the pain during hip movement.

Q. What are the complications of hip surgery?
A. Infection, swelling, blood clots, and numbness are possible complications after hip surgery.

Reference Links

https://www.narayanahealth.org/blog/hip-replacement-surgery-how-to-prepare-for-a-successful-procedure/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1743919117312165#abs0015
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/24675-hip-joint