Hip Arthroscopy

Arthroscopy of the hip is an expanding field. Hip arthroscopy is most commonly used in younger patients with pre-arthritic conditions and torn cartilage. In order to gain access to the hip joint, gentle traction is placed upon the operative leg so that the surgeon can safely enter the hip joint.

Conditions treated with hip arthroscopy include: 

• Femoral-Acetabular Impingement (FAI): FAI is a condition in which the ball and socket of the hip do not match perfectly. Because of subtle abnormalities on either the ball (femoral head) or socket (acetabulum), this “conflict” can create damage to the hip joint. The damage can occur to the articular cartilage (smooth white surface of the ball or socket) or the labral tissue (soft tissue gasket that surrounds the opening of the socket).  FAI is thought to be a contributor to early arthritis of the hip.
  
  
• Labral Tear: The labrum of the hip is a cuff of thick tissue that surrounds the hip socket and helps to seal the hip joint. When a labral tear of the hip occurs, a piece of this tissue can become pinched in the joint causing pain and contributing to damage of the socket cartilage.
  
  
• Loose Bodies: Loose bodies are pieces of cartilage that form within the joint. They look like small fragments floating within the joint space. These loose bodies can become caught within the hip during movements.
  
  
• Snapping Hip Syndrome: Snapping hip syndrome has several causes, some of which can be treated with hip arthroscopy. If something is catching within the hip joint, hip arthroscopy can be used to relieve this snapping.
  
  
• Cartilage Damage: In patients with focal cartilage damage, rather than generalized arthritis, hip arthroscopy may be helpful. When patients sustain an injury that causes a piece of cartilage to break away from the surface of the bone they may benefit from removal of that piece of cartilage and subsequent repair of the cartilage defect.
  
  
• Early Arthritis: This is a controversial topic, as patients who have significant arthritis pain generally will not benefit from a hip arthroscopy. The patients who tend to benefit have specific findings of impingement (pinching) within the hip joint, and may benefit from removal of the bone spurs causing this impingement.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Hurst, please contact us at (614) 221-6331