What Is Hip Arthroscopy?
Hip arthroscopy is a type of hip surgery that only requires a few small incisions. “Arthroscopy” comes from the name of the tool that makes the procedure possible: a small camera called an arthroscope. Arthroscopy is a type of minimally-invasive procedure that’s popular for hip surgery, elbow surgery, and knee surgery.
Using an arthroscopy, doctors can treat a wide range of hip problems, including but not limited to:
- Smoothing torn cartilage
- Repairing cartilage
- Trimming bone growths
- Removing inflamed tissue
In many cases, “open surgery” is only necessary for 1 of 2 reasons: the doctor needs a full view of the surgical site, or it’s a surgery that requires an implant or transplant. However, the arthroscope means surgeons can get a full view of a damaged hip without needing a large incision. The arthroscope is fed through a small cut while doctors carry out the surgery with miniature tools (also fed through small incisions) and a video monitor.
The Life-Changing Benefits of Small Incisions
It’s hard to overstate the importance of arthroscopic surgery. Small incisions mean that patients only require 1-2 hours of in-hospital recovery time—meaning hip arthroscopy can be accomplished on an outpatient basis. That potentially means a lower-cost procedure and less time away from work.
More importantly, it leaves patients with less pain during recovery. This not only shortens the healing time, but lessens the length of time that patients need pain medication. With smaller incisions lowering the risks of surgery overall, arthroscopic procedures create a healthier, stronger outcome for patients.
To learn if arthroscopic hip surgery is right for you, call (203) 337-2600 or contact us online!
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