Hip Arthroscopy- All You Need to Know

Posted by Dr Ashu Consul on February 27th, 2021

This was probably the area of ​​Hip Surgery that presented the biggest and most expressive evolution in the last years.

The term arthroscopy in Delhi refers to a surgical technique, the act of “looking at the joint”. It is a method, a means of carrying out a treatment. It allows different procedures to be performed on or near the joint.

This is possible through the use of micro-cameras and special instruments, of small caliber, that give us access to the interior of the joints without the need for surgical accesses of traditional surgeries.

In arthroscopy, we use cutaneous incisions of about one centimeter each, in varying numbers – usually from 2 to 4 accessions, explains the orthopaedic in Delhi.

What can be treated by hip arthroscopy in Delhi?

The most frequent indications are:

• Femoral-acetabular impact: for bone and cartilage remodeling (osteochondroplasty).
• Lesions of the acetabular Labrum: for its resection or reinsertion to the bone bed with the use of anchors.

Other indications include:

• Snap in hip.
• Removal of free bodies or foreign bodies from the joint.
• Repair of injuries to the gluteal tendons and lateral hip pain syndrome.
• Treatment of traumatic and atraumatic cartilage lesions.
• Lesions of the round ligament.
• Osteochondritis dissecans.
• Synovectomy: for rheumatoid arthritis or villonodular synovitis.
• Deep gluteal pain syndrome or piriformis syndrome: to release the sciatic nerve.
• Some sequelae of pediatric pathologies, such as Legg-Perthes: for removal of free bodies or chondroplasty. 

Can my case be treated by arthroscopy in Delhi?

Through clinical evaluation and imaging tests we can define who will benefit or not from this type of treatment.

Although this surgery is extremely versatile, not all hip injuries can be treated in this way.

Cases of major morphological changes, hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis, for example, are likely to be better treated through conventional surgery, when indicated.

Although common sense is that arthroscopy in Dwarka is “better and more modern”, this is not always true. Each case has its indication. In some cases, traditional surgery may bring more benefits.

The indication of treatment must be decided on a case-by-case basis by the orthopaedic doctor in Delhi.

How is the surgery?

Surgery can be performed with spinal anesthesia and sedation or under general anesthesia.

To gain access to the hip joint, it is necessary to use an orthopedic traction table, under anesthesia, creating space in the joint for the insertion of optics and instruments.

In addition to the video material, we also use a radioscopy device, which is a kind of “live” radiography.

After making the access portals, we introduced the micro-camera and we can use a wide variety of tweezers to correct injuries, sutures, scrapes, micro-perforations, etc.

The instruments used in hip arthroscopy are specific to this surgery, being longer than the material traditionally used for knee and shoulder, for example.

We also have flexible instruments that can deviate from the femoral head and increase our range within the joint, however, the shape and location of the hip imposes a natural limit on the range of the instruments, explains the orthopaedic surgeon in Delhi.

What are the risks?

As with any surgical procedure, there are risks involved.

In addition to the “general” risks, such as: anesthetic risk and infection, there are also specific risks of arthroscopic treatment, especially paresthesias (alteration of sensitivity) in the inguinal region or skin problems, among others. The evolution of technique and materials has fortunately made these problems increasingly rare.

In addition, as with all endoscopic surgery, there may always be a need for conversion to traditional surgery (“open air”).

How is recovery after surgery?

According to the severity of the injury and the treatment instituted, specific physiotherapy protocols are initiated. The use of crutches is necessary for two to six weeks and the return to sports is allowed according to the type of injury, the type of sport and the individual recovery. Final recovery can take anywhere from six months to a year, states the orthopaedic surgeon in Delhi.

It is usually necessary to stay in the hospital for a day for post-anesthetic recovery and the postoperative period is generally not very painful.

Will I never have hip pain again? Can I go back to sports?

Statistically up to 80% of patients are able to resume their sports activities with at least partial relief of symptoms.

In practice, each case is different. Depending on the problem you had in your hip, arthroscopy can only be palliative, in an attempt to preserve your joint. In some situations, it may be more prudent to abandon impact sports altogether.

Eventually the symptoms may remain or appear again after a while. You should inquire about the details of your case with your orthopaedic surgeon in Dwarka.

In our practice, we observed the best results in those patients who obtained an earlier diagnosis and in small lesions, without compromising cartilage.

For this reason, you should not neglect your symptoms, in case of pain in the groin or hip always look for an orthopaedic in Delhi.