Hip Arthroscopic Surgery
Arthroscopic surgery, also known as key-hole surgery, is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to diagnose and treat problems involving the hip joint. It involves making small incisions (portals) to insert a thin telescope and other miniaturized instruments into the joint, allowing the surgeon to visualise the inside of the joint on a video monitor and perform necessary repairs or reconstruction.
It is a minimally invasive technique since it involves using very small incisions without having to open the joint. It helps to minimise the surgical pain and allows for faster recovery times and early return to function.
Common Hip Conditions Treated with Arthroscopy
- Femoro-acetabular Impingement (FAI): FAI occurs when there is abnormal contact between the femoral head and the acetabulum, causing pinching of tissue (impingement), leading to pain and restricted movement. This can result from an irregular shape of the femoral head or the acetabulum. Arthroscopic surgery can be used reshape the bone and remove any impinging areas to alleviate pain and improve hip function.
- Labral Tears: The labrum is crucial for deepening the hip joint socket, and thereby contribute to the joint stability. Tears in the labrum can cause pain, clicking, and instability. Arthroscopy can help to visualise the tear and perform repair or debridement to restore normal function and reduce symptoms.
- Synovitis: Synovitis can occur due to inflammation of the synovial membrane or due to an infection of the hip joint. This can lead to pain and stiffness in the hip joint. Arthroscopy can be used to remove the inflamed tissue, providing relief from symptoms and improving joint function, or to do a synovial biopsy, which can help to identify the cause of synovitis.
- Removal of loose bodies: Loose bodies can get trapped in the hip joint due to an injury or due to a condition called synovial chondromatosis. Hip arthroscopy can help to remove the loose bodies and also to evaluate the joint.
Why Choose Hip Arthroscopy?
Hip arthroscopy is a minimally invasive technique that uses small incisions (portals) and a tiny telescope (arthroscope) attached to a camera to diagnose and treat hip conditions. This approach offers several benefits:
Reduced Recovery Time: Smaller incisions lead to faster healing and less postoperative pain.
Less Scarring: Minimal incisions mean less visible scarring compared to traditional open surgery.
Effective Pain Relief: Arthroscopy addresses the underlying issues directly, providing significant pain relief and improved hip function.