Achieve renewed mobility and relief from debilitating hip pain with this outpatient procedure.

Acute or chronic hip pain can cause decreased mobility, restricted range of motion and interfere with restful, healthy sleep – severely diminishing an individual’s quality of life. Patients often complain of symptoms such as joint tightness, muscle weakness, loss of strength and overall hip pain.

Overview

Hip Arthroscopy (also known as Hip Scope) is a minimally invasive procedure that has revolutionized the treatment of chronic hip pain. A small buttonhole-sized incision is all a specially trained surgeon needs to insert an optical device, called an arthroscope. Gently guiding this device to the afflicted hip joint the surgeon can then view and treat the affected area.

Benefits

Hip Scope has the distinct advantage of avoiding open surgery and the necessary hospital stay that follows such a procedure. Patients typically recuperate in a shorter period of time than they would with other more invasive procedures. It can even help postpone or eliminate the need for hip replacement surgery. Minimally invasive Hip Scope can be instrumental in getting patients up, moving and enjoying life more quickly.

Conditions

The most common conditions treated by Hip Scope include:

• Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI)
• Dysplasia
• Loose Bodies
• Dysplasia
• Torn Labrum

Anatomy

The upper end of the thighbone (femur) fits into the socket (acetabelum) of the large pelvis bone to form a ball-and-socket type joint. To create a smooth, friction-free surface both the ball and socket are covered in a slippery tissue called articular cartilage. The acetabelum is ringed in a sturdy fibrocartilage called the labrum. The labrum deepens and protects the socket area forming a gasket-like seal. A thin membrane called the synovium lubricates the joint with snyovial fluid. The entire joint is held together with capsular ligaments.

Your Hip Scope Procedure

Using your history, physical exam, X-ray and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), a physician from Orthopedic Associates of Lancaster will diagnose and conduct a thorough assessment to determine if you are a good candidate for Hip Scope. Orthopedic Associates of Lancaster has access to two onsite MRI units for timely, accurate imaging.

On the day of your procedure you’ll be admitted, prepped for surgery in pre-op and escorted to the operating room by a nurse and the anesthesiologist. The types of anesthesia that are commonly used include general and local.

After sedation, intravenous antibiotics are administered. This is done with live X-ray. Antiseptic solution is applied and then a small incision is made through which the surgeon will insert the arthroscope. Guiding this small optical device to the hip, the surgeon will survey the affected area and use precision instruments to repair damaged tissue or clean away any inflamed material and pull aside other tissue to work on any loose bodies in the joint and smooth rough spots.

After the surgery is complete, the instruments will be removed and the incision will be sutured closed. The procedure itself takes little more than an hour-and-a-half, but sufficient time is required for the effects of the anesthesia to wear off.

Hip Scope is an outpatient procedure and can be performed at North Pointe Surgery Center. Hospitalization is not required. Clean, comfortable and conveniently located, North Pointe Surgery Center is a fully licensed, Joint Commission gold standard facility. For more information click here.

Recovery and Rehabilitation

The rehabilitation specialists at Orthopedic Associates of Lancaster will develop a recovery and rehabilitation plan designed specifically for you. Proper exercise is key – it speeds healing and aids in the recovery process. Your plan will include physical therapy with specific exercises to restore your strength and mobility.

You will be asked to take it easy for a few days following surgery. Crutches will be useful for a short time. You may also be provided with the use of a cooling unit. This works much like an ice pack.

A new bandage will be applied a few days after surgery. After about two weeks the stitches will be removed.

Long-term Outcomes

Hip Scope has a very good success rate for most patients. Many return to full, unrestricted activities after the procedure.

Depending on cause, condition and extent of prior damage, some patients may need to make lifestyle adjustments in order to maintain the health of their hip. This may include such recommendations as losing weight or switching from high impact exercises like running to low impact activities like swimming.

Of course, your individual recovery will depend on a variety of factors, including how much damage was present in the hip. As with any surgical procedure, there are instances where the damage to the hip is so severe that it cannot be fully restored.

Facilities

Hip Scope and other outpatient surgeries are often performed at North Pointe Surgery Center.