Hip Arthroscopy
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Hip Arthroscopy in Melbourne Overview
Hip arthroscopy is a highly specialised surgical procedure that allows our surgeons to see inside the hip joint without making a large incision (cut) through the skin and other tissues. Arthroscopy is used to diagnose and treat a wide range of hip problems. Our surgeons have gained expert knowledge on hip arthroscopy from fellowship training in Europe and Australia from internationally recognised leaders in this area.
During hip arthroscopy surgery, a small camera, called an arthroscope is inserted into your hip joint via keyhole incisions. The camera displays pictures on a video monitor, and these images guide miniature surgical instruments.
Because the arthroscope and surgical instruments are thin, we can use very small incisions, rather than a larger incision needed for open surgery. This results in less pain, less joint stiffness, and shortens the time it takes to recover.
An arthroscopy is performed through keyhole incisions.
A photo taken with an arthroscope showing damage to the labrum and cartilage inside of the hip joint.
Your hip surgeon may recommend hip arthroscopy & surgery if you have a painful condition that does not respond to nonsurgical treatment. Nonsurgical treatment includes rest, physical therapy, and medications or injections that can reduce inflammation.
Hip arthroscopy can relieve painful symptoms from the labrum, cartilage, or other tissues surrounding the joint, it can also be utilised to investigate and treat pain coming from partial or total hip replacements. Conditions which can be treated using hip arthroscopy include:
- Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a disorder in which extra bone develops along the acetabulum (pincer impingement) or on the femoral head (cam impingement). This bone overgrowth damages the soft tissues of the hip during movement and may predispose to arthritis.
- Labral Tears hip surgery
- Dysplasia is a condition in which the hip socket is abnormally shallow. This puts more stress on the labrum to keep the femoral head within the socket and makes the labrum more susceptible to tearing.
- Psoas Tendinitis frequently caused by total hip replacement; this is an irritation of the tendon of the psoas muscle at the front of the hip
- Snapping hip syndromes cause a tendon to rub across the outside of the joint. This type of snapping or popping is often harmless and does not need treatment. In some cases, however, the tendon is damaged from the repeated rubbing.
- Synovitis, which is inflammation of the hip joint.
- Loose bodies are fragments of bone or cartilage that become loose and move around within the joint.
- Trauma high energy trauma can cause damage to the hip joint, which can in some cases be addressed with the use of hip arthroscopy
- Hip joint infection
In femoroacetabular impingement, abnormal bone grows abnormally around the hip socket (pincer impingement) or femoral head (cam impingement). Arthroscopy is typically used to remove the excess bone.
You might also be recommended a hip arthroscopy in Melbourne as a way to diagnose a hip issue or check the health of your hip joint. This can be because you are experiencing symptoms like pain, swelling, stiffness or locking. It can also be recommended if you have suffered a hip injury that might have damaged your joint, or if you have an illness like hip arthritis.
The length of the procedure will depend on what is found and the amount of work to be done. At the end of surgery, the arthroscopy incisions are stitched or covered with skin tapes. An absorbent dressing is applied to the hip.
How to Get a Hip Arthroscopy Surgeon in Melbourne
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms or conditions, you might need to get hip arthroscopy surgery in Melbourne. It is likely that your doctor will refer you to an orthopaedic surgeon who will inform you of this. However, if the procedure has not yet been mentioned but you believe you might benefit from arthroscopy, discuss it with your GP. They will be able to refer you to a hip arthroscopy surgeon in Melbourne, who will decide if the procedure is right for you.
What to Expect With Our Hip Arthroscopy in Melbourne
If you're about to have hip arthroscopy surgery in Melbourne, this is what you can expect to happen on the day. You will be asked to refrain from eating and drinking for a certain period of time before your appointment. When you arrive, you will be asked some questions about your health, and you will also be given information about the procedure. Before surgery starts, you will receive general, local or spinal anaesthesia. You will be told before the day what type of anaesthesia will be used on you. The surgery itself will take about thirty minutes to two hours. Afterwards, you will spend a few hours in the hospital before you are allowed to go home.
Hip Arthroscopy Surgery in Melbourne Recovery
After surgery, you will stay in the recovery room for 1 to 2 hours before being discharged home. You will need someone to drive you home and stay with you at least the first night.
Crutches and walking will depend upon what is found and what procedures are performed. Your surgeon will inform you prior to discharge how long you will require them for, for most patients it is a minimum of 2 weeks.
Specific exercises to restore your strength and mobility are important in optimising your recovery.
Your surgeon will see you normally at 2 weeks post-op to check your dressings and further follow-up will then be dependent upon the exact procedure performed and your rehabilitation.
Risks + Complications
Complications from hip arthroscopy are uncommon. Any surgery to the hip joint carries a small risk of injury to the surrounding nerves, blood vessels, or the joint itself. There are also small risks of infection, as well as blood clots forming in the legs (deep vein thrombosis). The anaesthetist will discuss with you pre-operatively the risk of anaesthetics
Hip Arthroscopy Surgery Post Operative Instructions
Dressings
You will have adhesive (sticky) dressings on your two or three small surgical incisions. You are able to go in the shower with these on, but you should try and keep them dry and not immerse them in water or go in a bath/pool. If they become saturated, or become loose, they need to be changed. Please either contact your GP or your surgeon to arrange this.
Pain Relief
Paracetamol should be taken 3-4 times per day, and this should be taken in addition to your long-acting pain relief (Targin or Palexia SR). You should also take breakthrough pain relief as it is required – typically Endone or Palexia IR. You will be given these medications for discharge prior to leaving the hospital.
Anti-inflammatories are also recommended for both inflammation control and to prevent bone formation – you will be given an anti-inflammatory for discharge (Indocid/Celebrex/Naproxen), and this should be taken for 4-6 weeks post op.
Ice packs/compression can also be used to relieve swelling.
Clicking/Catching and Swelling
Clicking/catching is very common after hip arthroscopy and is usually due to scar tissue breaking down, this normally slowly resolves but it can take several months. Swelling is also very common, and it is not uncommon for the entire leg to be swollen for several days to a week after hip arthroscopy, this again is nothing to normally worry about, unless it is getting worse, or you are concerned.
Follow-Up Appointments
You should have a follow-up appointment booked for 2 weeks and 6 weeks after your procedure. Please contact VBJS if this has not occurred.
FAQs Surrounding Hip Arthroscopy in Melbourne
When can I walk after a hip arthroscopy?
Partial weight-bearing and walking is allowed immediately. Initially, this will be aided by crutches. Most people will walk independently by 10-14 days postoperatively.
When can I drive after a hip arthroscopy?
You should not drive for 48 hours after an anaesthetic. After 48 hours, your ability to drive will depend on the side you had your operation, left or right, the type of vehicle you drive, manual or automatic and the type of pain relief you are taking. Mr Slattery will discuss this with you post operatively.
When can I return to work after a hip arthroscopy?
Your return to work will vary depending on the procedure performed and type of work you are engaged in. Most people can return to office work within 2 weeks. Labour intensive work, however, may require you to take 4-6 weeks before returning to full duties.
When can I play sport after a hip arthroscopy?
Low impact activities, such as cycling can be commenced from week two. If your procedure involves bone removal, high impact activities, such as running and jumping, are best avoided for 6 weeks post-surgery. Sport specific re-training can commence from week 6, with the aim to return to elite level sports 3 months post-surgery.
How long will I take to heal after a hip arthroscopy?
The wounds take 7-10 days to heal. Most patients improve dramatically in the first 6 weeks. Occasionally, there are periods where the hip may become sore and then settle again. This is part of the normal healing process. It takes three to six months for your hip to fully recover from hip arthroscopy. Continued improvements may be gained up to 1-year post-surgery.
How much pain will I experience after a hip arthroscopy?
Your experience of pain will vary depending on the procedure performed and the amount of pre-existing damage in your hip. Most patients are pleasantly surprised at how little pain they have after the procedure. Local anaesthetic is injected before and after the procedure to minimise any pain you may feel.
Will FAI return after a hip arthroscopy?
The symptoms of FAI occur when impingement occurs between the ball and socket of your hip. Once the abnormal growth of bone in your hip joint has been removed, it is unlikely to grow back. The risk of ongoing damage to the hip is now low as the cause of the FAI has been removed.
