The Harborne Hospital
Mindelsohn Way B15 2FQ Birmingham
Hip arthroscopy
A hip arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure. It is often referred to as keyhole surgery, performed to diagnose and treat a range of hip problems, ranging from damaged cartilage to loose bone fragments. This type of less invasive hip surgery helps to reduce pain as the incision is smaller than open surgery. It can help delay the need for a primary hip replacement, helping you get back to enjoying life to the full.
Some key facts about HCA UK:
- Number one in London for private orthopaedic care
- Hip consultant appointments are confirmed in one working day
- 97% of orthopaedic patients rate us very good or excellent
What is hip arthroscopy surgery?
A hip arthroscopy is a procedure that allows your consultant to see inside your hip joint. This is done using equipment that includes a small surgical camera (arthroscope) inserted through tiny cuts in your hip. A sterile solution is used to wash out your hip joint so that they can see inside it more clearly. This solution may cause some swelling in the leg when waking up post-surgery. The body will naturally absorb this fluid over the following days.
To prepare for the arthroscope being inserted, fluid is injected into the joint. This results in pressure that allows the joint to remain open for the procedure. The camera is connected to a video monitor which enables the surgeon to see the hip in detail and diagnose any issues. If areas of damage are found, the surgeon will use arthroscopic tools to repair or remove tissue before using sutures to close the wound.
This minimally invasive procedure is widely used as the first step of hip surgery. An arthroscopy is used to diagnose and treat a range of hip problems without open surgery. Hip arthroscopy is typically carried out under general anaesthetic as a day-case procedure, so you won't usually be required to stay overnight. After the surgery you can expect to experience reduced pain and increased mobility in your hip.
What conditions can a hip arthroscopy operation help with?
A hip arthroscopy is both a diagnostic procedure and a treatment used for a range of common hip conditions. Treatments can include removing loose or damaged tissue, repairing tears or reshaping the bones and cleaning out the hip joint of any cartilage or bone fragments. This minimally invasive operation can explore the source of hip pain and treat hip issues in one procedure.
Your orthopaedic consultant might recommend the procedure if you have one of the following conditions and it hasn't responded to non-surgical treatments:
- Labral hip tears: If a labral hip tear is causing significant pain, an arthroscopy can be carried out to repair the damage.
- Hip impingement or Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI): This is a condition where the shape of the ball of the hip doesn’t match the socket. A hip arthroscopy can help reshape and smooth areas of the joint and therefore reduce pain and improve movement.
- Cartilage damage: This can be due to an injury or wear and tear. Self-care treatment is often recommended for cartilage damage. However, hip arthroscopy surgery can be used to help relieve and improve pain if the joint is not too damaged.
In some cases, treating the above conditions may also help delay the onset of hip arthritis and the need for a primary hip replacement.
Experts in hip arthroscopy surgery
If you have pain and immobility related to a hip condition, our orthopaedic consultants who specialise in hip arthroscopy procedures can investigate the cause of your symptoms and treat the underlying cause.
Hip arthroscopy surgery FAQs
Hip arthroscopy surgery does not take a long time. It is usually completed in around 60 to 90 minutes.
The goal of hip arthroscopy surgery is to diagnose and treat conditions that are causing pain and affecting mobility in the hip. Your consultant will explain the potential outcomes, but the main benefits include:
- Increased movement and mobility due to freeing up the joint and removing any loose fragments
- Reduced need for a primary hip replacement in some cases if underlying issues are addressed
- Helping delay the onset of arthritic hips
- Improved quality of life
- Diagnosis and treatment without the need for major surgery.
As with all types of surgery, there are potential risks and side effects. However, because it’s a minimally invasive procedure, the risks are generally lower than with open surgery. Risks might include:
Injury to blood vessels, nerves or muscles around the incision. Severe injury is rare but there might be mild bruising and bleeding around the wound. Some people might experience numbness and pressure around the groin, due to the leg being in traction.
Swelling at the site caused by the fluid that’s inserted into the hip, especially during the first few days
Pain post-surgery which usually subsides after a few days and should disappear after a few weeks
Infection is rare but if it occurs it’s normally at the site and is treated with antibiotics. Severe infection that affects the joint surface is uncommon.
Your consultant will address these with you when you discuss your treatment options.
Your consultant will explain the procedure to you and answer your questions. They will let you know how to prepare, which will likely include the following:
- How long you should avoid eating and drinking beforehand
- Arranging for someone to collect you after the procedure
- Maintaining a healthy lifestyle before and after surgery
- Any recommended exercises before and after surgery
- Any other tests required before surgery, for example scans
The recovery time from a hip arthroscopy varies from person to person. It depends on your overall health as well as the type of treatment administered. Your consultant will let you know what to expect and how to care for your hip while it heals.
You should be able to go home on the same day as your procedure. The area where the cuts were made may feel swollen and tender for a few days. You may be given painkillers to manage this and crutches to help with mobility.
You will need to arrange a taxi or a lift with a family or friend as you won’t be able to drive.
Recovery plans after a hip arthroscopy may include exercises and a referral to a physiotherapist. They can help you get back to your everyday day activities such as driving a car and returning to work. Physiotherapy often starts within the first couple of days post-operation, either as an inpatient or outpatient. Depending on your needs, this programme can last at least six weeks.
You will likely feel some level of pain for a few weeks after the procedure, but this shouldn’t last longer than six months. As small cuts are made in the hip area for an arthroscopy procedure, there will be some scarring where the incisions were made. These will vary in size according to the treatment you received.
A follow-up outpatient appointment is organised to remove any sutures and prescribe any necessary pain medication. Your consultant will discuss your progress and any further treatment to aid your recovery post hip arthroscopy surgery.
People report varying recovery time frames. Being able to undertake light physical activities may take three weeks. It may take three to four months, on average, if physio exercises progress well to return to physical sports.
Hip arthroscopy surgery generally has a good success rate, but the length of your recovery will vary depending on your fitness pre surgery, your specific hip condition and the treatment performed.
In your follow-up appointment, your consultant will advise on when is a suitable time to return to driving. But as a general rule, you shouldn’t drive until you are able to be fully in control of a vehicle without suffering severe pain.
Before recommending surgery, your consultant may suggest alternative, non-surgical treatments such as:
- Resting and reducing or eliminating activities such as sports, especially if the damage was caused by an injury. This can give the hip time to recover and heal, often resulting in a decrease in pain
- Taking anti-inflammatory medication. These types of medications can reduce inflammation and pain in the hip
- Physiotherapy to help your joint recover and restore mobility. Targeted exercises can often improve the range of motion without risking further injury or pain.
If pain and a lack of movement persist, your consultant may suggest a hip arthroscopy procedure.
Why choose HCA UK?
Leading treatment: We are the number one for private orthopaedic care in London. We treat the most orthopaedic cases across the city, based on data from the Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN).
Next-day appointments: We arrange appointments with hip experts and confirm them within 24 hours.
Same-day imaging: Appointments at our state-of-the-art facilities are confirmed the next working day, with any necessary imaging often carried out at the same time as your initial consultation, if required.
Personalised care: Should your condition require hip arthroscopy surgery, you'll benefit from a high standard of orthopaedic care, and not just from your consultant. We also have specialist orthopaedic nurses.
Recommended by our patients: 99% of our orthopaedic patients reported they were likely or very likely to recommend us to family and friends.
The cost of a private hip arthroscopy
Paying for a private hip arthroscopy can be arranged by medical insurance or directly by an individual, known as self-pay.
While we work with a full range of medical insurance companies, you don't need health insurance to benefit from quick appointments, diagnostic tests, imaging and effective treatment at our leading hospitals. We have a team who can take payment directly.
Find out more about the different ways to pay for your hip arthroscopy procedure.
Book an appointment with a hip or pelvis consultant
To make an appointment with one of our leading consultants to discuss your condition and possible hip arthroscopy surgery, call us or use the online enquiry form. We can also make imaging and outpatient physiotherapy appointments for you.
If you book online, we’ll confirm your appointment on the phone. If you have any special requests, we'll get back to you via phone or email within 24 hours.
Our hip arthroscopy locations
The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road, SW1W 8RH London
The Wellington Hospital
8A Wellington Place NW8 9LE London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.