How does hip arthroscopy work?

After anaesthesia, the hip is positioned to create working space between the ball and socket. The surgeon makes small skin openings and passes an arthroscope, a narrow camera, into the joint. A clear fluid helps the camera show the cartilage, labrum and joint surfaces. Separate instruments can remove extra bone in hip impingement, repair a labral tear, smooth damaged tissue or remove loose fragments. The exact repair depends on what the examination shows.

The openings are closed and covered after the instruments are removed. Hip arthroscopy is less extensive than an open operation, but healing still involves the joint and surrounding muscles. Crutches, movement limits and physiotherapy may be needed while repaired tissue settles.

Arrange help with transport and the first part of recovery, and follow the surgical team’s instructions about medicines, bathing and weight-bearing. Use crutches exactly as taught if they are prescribed. Begin the recommended exercises at the advised pace; early rehabilitation commonly focuses on protecting the repair, restoring hip movement and gradually rebuilding strength. Do not return to running, pivoting or sport until your clinician has tested your movement and strength.

Contact the surgical team promptly for increasing wound redness, drainage, fever, worsening pain, new calf swelling or breathlessness. Sudden severe weakness, loss of sensation or a cold, unusually pale foot needs urgent assessment. Mild soreness and temporary stiffness can occur after surgery, but symptoms that are worsening rather than settling should be reported.

Ask which structure needs treatment, whether it will be repaired or reshaped, how much weight you may place on the leg, and when driving, work and sport may be resumed. Ask how the rehabilitation plan changes if a labral repair is performed.