Hip arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgery that is performed through small incisions in the skin, allowing work to be done directly on the joint. This joint is difficult to access, so the arthroscopic technique has been developing and improving over the years. This time, Dr. Henry Deza, orthopedic surgeon at Clinica Ricardo Palma, gives us further insights into this intervention.

Benefits of hip arthroscopy

These are:

• Less surgical injury than conventional surgery
• Less tissue separation
• Less painful postoperative management
• Faster recovery

However, it must be taken into account that each case will depend on the treatment given to each patient.

Which patients require this type of surgery?

Those patients who suffer from femoroacetabular impingement (small alteration in the morphology of the bones that make up the hip and that produce a process of rubbing or scraping, eventually triggering osteoarthritis of the hip at a very early age), also injuring the acetabular labrum (pad of articular fibrocartilage that packs the head of the femur).

How is the surgery performed?

The surgery is performed in the operating room with proper implementation. During the procedure, a traction table is required to slightly separate the hip and a fluoroscope or X-ray inside the operating room to help enter the joint. Once the hip joint is visualized, the bone that is causing the impingement is filed or sanded and the acetabular labrum is repaired.

What care is required after surgery?

This intervention requires at most one day of hospitalization. The next day the patient should start with slow movements of the hip, in addition to muscle stretching to avoid the formation of adhesions in the joint. The load must be partial with two crutches and will depend on the procedure that was performed on the patient.

Other diseases that can be treated with hip arthroscopy

• deep gluteus syndrome
• trochanteric bursitis
• gluteus medius tear
• spring hips
• Ischiofemoral impingement

Dr. Henry Deza
Orthopedic surgeon at Clinica Ricardo Palma