Hip pain can get worse with age. Whether it is related to a sports injury or age-related wear & tear, you need to consult an orthopedic surgeon at the earliest. The typical approach is to consider nonsurgical care, which includes medications and physical therapy. If the initial line of treatment doesn’t work, your surgeon may recommend a minimally-invasive surgery called arthroscopy. Before you go for hip arthroscopy beverly hills, here is a look at the procedure.
The procedure: Explained
The surgeon will make a few incisions in the skin and insert a tool known as an arthroscope into the hip joint. The arthroscope has a camera that allows the surgeon to see the damage inside the hip. They will also use other small tools to repair damage to connective tissues and bones. The incisions required for the procedure are much smaller than the standard incisions required in surgeries. You will have to keep up with physical therapy to restore the strength of your hip again.
Who is a good candidate for hip arthroscopy?
If your doctor has tried steroid injections, medications, and physical therapy with no results, they will likely recommend hip arthroscopy.
Hip arthroscopy vs. total hip replacement: What’s better?
If you have extreme symptoms, you will need a hip replacement, and there is no one way of comparing both procedures. A total hip replacement is called arthroplasty, which is a much more complicated procedure compared to hip arthroscopy. In many cases, patients don’t need anything beyond arthroscopy.
Is hip arthroscopy right for me?
Your doctor may recommend hip arthroscopy if you have specific symptoms and conditions. It is often suggested for patients with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), also known as hip impingement and labral tears. If you have damaged bones and cartilage triggering pain, your surgeon can remove them. It is also recommended for hip dysplasia and tendon tears.
Things to know
Your doctor may advise against certain supplements and over-the-counter medicines before the procedure. You should also try to quit smoking, which can make it hard for your body to heal. Also, you need to reduce drinking alcohol. It is also essential that you don’t drink or eat anything for at least 12 hours before surgery. Listen to your doctor and adhere to the suggestions.
This is an outpatient surgery, which means you should be able to go home the same day as the procedure. Talk to an orthopedic surgeon to learn more.