Hip Arthroscopy

Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive technique in joint surgery that uses tiny incisions, a miniature fiber-optic camera called an arthroscope, and very small surgical instruments. Arthroscopy is used to find and repair injured structures within the joint for surgical procedures such as rotator cuff repair, labral tear repair, or ACL reconstruction.

Arthroscopy allows an orthopedic surgeon to see inside a joint while minimizing damage to surrounding tissues and joint structures. This means the surgeon can preserve the healthy parts of the joint, and in correcting any injury or improper joint alignment, joints are spared from extensive degeneration.

With hip arthroscopy, your surgeon can help reduce or eliminate hip pain caused by dysfunctional hip problems like bone spurs and labral tears (or tears in the cartilage structure in your hip called the labrum). 

Hip Preservation

Your surgeon can also use hip arthroscopy to repair other tears in the cartilage or ligaments surrounding your hip as well as a condition known as femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). FAI is a hip condition that refers to improperly shaped bone structures in your hip. Hip arthroscopy procedures used to correct FAI are frequently referred to as a form of hip preservation.

Hip preservation involves a series of arthroscopic techniques to preserve the form and function of a healthy hip joint. Hip preservation is also used in cases of hip dysplasia and avascular necrosis, conditions related to dislocation, impingement, other issues with hip strength, and acute or degenerative hip damage. Hip preservation procedures can delay or reduce the effects of conditions like arthritis.

What to Expect During and After Hip Arthroscopy

Before any hip surgery, your hip doctor will diagnose your hip problem thorough examination, X-ray, and MRI diagnostics. Your doctor will be able to determine the nature of your condition, whether it is a labral tear, hip dysplasia, a deformity in your hip joint, impingement, or another source of hip pain. Your doctor will also ensure that conservative treatment options are exhausted before moving forward with hip arthroscopy, hip preservation surgery, or any other surgical measures.

Regardless of the type of hip arthroscopy you need, during the procedure, your surgeon will insert the arthroscope into the hip joint. Your surgeon will be able to view live, real-time video of your hip. Several additional incisions may also be made to insert surgical tools or allow your surgeon to move the camera to other positions to see the cartilage of each bone, the ligaments, and the joint lining.

Since hip arthroscopy is usually performed on an outpatient basis, you will likely go home the day of your procedure. If you are experiencing inflammation or swelling, icing your hip can help. You can also use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories while you recover.

Recovery will depend on the severity of the tear, cartilage damage, or other problems in your hip and the procedure performed. Your surgeon may recommend physical therapy to help you regain strength, function, and motion in your hip and to learn proper mechanics. The physical therapy you receive will depend on the procedure you had.

Watch the video to learn more about hip arthroscopy.

 

The Strength of Experience at Southern Indiana Orthopedics 

At Southern Indiana Orthopedics, we have the expertise and technology to provide exceptional orthopedic care dedicated to making you stronger. Our hip arthroscopist, Dr. Eric Tannenbaum, is the only surgeon in southern Indiana who offers hip arthroscopy. He is a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in minimally invasive arthroscopic treatment of shoulder, hip, and knee injuries/disorders along with sports specific injuries.

Dr. Tannenbaum spent a year of specialty training in sports medicine learning from international leaders in the field and perfecting skills in arthroscopic surgery. During his fellowship training, he also had the opportunity to work with joint replacement specialists for the newest techniques in hip replacement surgery.

If you have a condition related to hip pain, consider making an appointment with Dr. Tannenbaum. Don't allow your hip joint problem to go undiagnosed or untreated. Call (812) 376-9353 to schedule an appointment or request an appointment online and be seen at our main location in Columbus or at our Greensburg outreach clinic.