Hip arthroscopy

What is hip arthroscopy?

It is a minimally invasive surgical technique that consists of studying or treating hip joint injuries by inserting a small video camera along with surgical instruments through minimal incisions in the skin.

Why is it performed?

Its goal is the early treatment of hip injuries before they cause significant joint wear, thus avoiding or postponing the need for a hip replacement. Furthermore, it is less aggressive than open hip surgery.

How is it performed?

Hip arthroscopy is usually performed under epidural or general anesthesia and lasts approximately 90 minutes, although the duration will depend on the type of injury and the treatment applied.

During the procedure, leg traction is performed so that the joint space distends to the maximum to facilitate the procedure. The surgeon will make a very small incision to insert the arthroscope, and other small incisions to insert the surgical instruments.

Postoperative Care

After the hip arthroscopy, the patient recovers from the intervention with analgesia and is usually discharged the following day, hours after the surgery.

The arthroscopic procedure generally produces little postoperative pain and is usually well-controlled after discharge with oral medication.

The subsequent recovery time and rehabilitation program usually depend on the type of surgery that was performed through the arthroscopy.