Hip pain can affect everything—the way you walk, sleep, sit at a desk or play with your kids. When that pain doesn’t respond to rest, medication or physical therapy, hip arthroscopy may be the right next step.
Summit Orthopedics hip experts in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area take a thoughtful approach to hip pain. Surgery is never our first recommendation, but when it is the right option, we use minimally invasive techniques when possible to help you heal with less disruption and get back to what you love.
What Is Hip Arthroscopy?
Hip arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that allows a surgeon to visualize the inside of your hip joint using a tiny camera called an arthroscope. The camera, inserted through a small incision about the size of a buttonhole, sends live images to a screen in the operating room.
Using that real-time view, your surgeon can diagnose the cause of your pain and make repairs using specially designed surgical tools—all through small incisions in your hip. This differs from traditional open surgery, which requires a single larger incision.
What Conditions Can Hip Arthroscopy Treat?
Hip arthroscopy can address a range of problems inside the hip joint. Your care team will use imaging, like an MRI or X-ray, along with your symptoms to determine exactly what’s going on.
Hip labral tears. The labrum is a ring of cartilage that lines the hip socket and helps stabilize the joint. When it tears due to injury, repetitive movement or structural issues, it can cause hip pain, clicking or a feeling that the hip is catching or locking. Arthroscopy allows the surgeon to repair or trim the damaged labrum.
Bone spurs. Extra bone growth around the hip joint can limit movement and irritate surrounding tissue. Arthroscopy allows surgeons to smooth or remove these spurs without a large incision.
Cartilage damage. Worn or damaged cartilage inside the hip joint can cause pain and stiffness that makes daily movement difficult. In certain cases, arthroscopy can address areas of damage and help reduce discomfort.
Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). FAI occurs when the bones of the hip joint don’t fit together smoothly, leading to friction and rubbing. One common type, called pincer impingement, occurs when the rim of the hip socket extends too far over the ball of the joint. During hip arthroscopy, surgeons can reshape the bone to create a better fit and reduce pain.
Who Is a Candidate For Hip Arthroscopy?
You’re a candidate for hip arthroscopy if your hip pain limits your activities and sports or if your pain has not improved with conservative care, such as physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications or activity modification.
Good candidates are often active adults or athletes who want to return to movement and have relatively healthy joint structures. Age and overall health also play a role, and your surgeon will review all of these factors with you.
Hip arthroscopy may not be the right fit for everyone. If significant arthritis is present throughout the joint, the procedure may offer limited benefit. In those cases, your care team may discuss other options, including hip replacement, to find the approach that best fits your situation. No recommendation is made without a thorough evaluation and an open conversation about your goals.
What Happens During Hip Arthroscopy?
You’re under general anesthesia during the procedure, so you’ll be fully asleep and comfortable throughout. The surgical team gently positions your leg to allow the surgeon access to the hip joint.
Your surgeon makes two or three small incisions around the hip—each less than half an inch. The arthroscope enters through one opening while slim surgical instruments work through the others. The live camera feed guides the entire procedure.
Depending on the type of damage found, your surgeon may repair or reconstruct the labrum, reshape bone to correct hip impingement, remove bone spurs or address areas of cartilage damage. The amount of time you’re in surgery depends on the extent of the damage done and the amount of work your surgeon needs to do.
Because hip arthroscopy is an outpatient procedure, you’ll go home the same day once you’ve recovered from anesthesia and your care team confirms you’re ready.
Is Hip Arthroscopy Painful?
You can expect some soreness and swelling in the days following surgery, but most patients find the discomfort manageable with the pain medication and icing instructions provided by their care team.
Because hip arthroscopy uses small incisions rather than a large opening, there’s typically less trauma to the surrounding tissue than with traditional surgery. That often translates to a more comfortable recovery.
Everyone’s experience is different, and your surgeon will set realistic expectations before your procedure based on the type of repair involved. You won’t be managing this alone—your care team is available to answer questions and support you throughout.
Recovery After Hip Arthroscopy
Recovery time varies depending on the repair, but most patients progress gradually from protected movement to full activity. Here’s a general sense of what to expect:
- Weeks 1–2. You’ll use crutches to keep weight off the hip while initial healing begins. Rest and icing are important during this phase. If you’re referred to physical therapy, you may begin an exercise program that includes early, gentle exercises to help protect the repair and prevent stiffness.
- Weeks 3–6. Crutches are gradually phased out as you begin putting more weight on the hip.
- Months 2–3. During this phase, your doctor will let you know if it’s OK to return to heavy exercise and sports. Therapy continues with a focus on strength and stability.
- Months 4–6 and beyond. You will continue to add more activities to your daily life. However, your physical therapist and surgeon will guide the timeline based on your progress, not a set calendar.
Physical therapy is a critical part of what makes the surgery successful. The exercises you do during rehab protect the repair, restore function and help prevent future problems. Your therapist will work closely with your surgical team to make sure your program fits your specific procedure and pace.
It’s also worth knowing that full recovery from hip arthroscopy takes time. Many patients feel significant improvement well before they’re fully healed. Staying consistent with your rehab plan is the most important thing you can do.
Care For Hip Conditions at Summit Orthopedics
YAt Summit Orthopedics, your care doesn’t start and stop in the operating room. Our hip specialists work as part of a coordinated team that includes physical therapists, patient care coordinators and support staff who are all focused on your recovery from day one.
We begin every relationship with a thorough evaluation, honest conversation and a personalized treatment plan built around your life. The highest standard of care means we consider all your options before recommending surgery, and we stay with you through every phase of recovery.
Summit Orthopedics surgeons are available at nearly 30 convenient locations across the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area, serving Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Our state-of-the-art, comprehensive orthopedic centers offer same-day appointments from a team of experts who offer the full scope of orthopedic care.
Find your Summit Orthopedics hip expert, request an appointment or call us at (651) 968-5201 to schedule a consultation.
