Hip Arthroscopy in Dallas & Frisco, TX

When Is Hip Arthroscopy Recommended?

If you have a problematic ailment that does not resolve with nonsurgical therapy, your doctor may consider hip arthroscopy. Rest, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory medicines or injections are all nonsurgical options.

Hip arthroscopy can help with a variety of painful symptoms caused by injury to the labrum, articular cartilage, or other soft tissues around the joint. Even though this damage can be caused by an injury, it can also be caused by other orthopedic disorders, such as the ones listed below.

• Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI): This condition involves excess bone growth either along the acetabulum or the head of the femur. These overgrowths, or bone spurs, damage the surrounding soft tissues while the patient moves. In some cases, these bone spurs develop around both the acetabulum and the head of the femur.
• Dysplasia: This involves an abnormally shallow hip socket. When patients suffer from dysplasia, their labrum experiences more stress in keeping the head of the femur in the socket. It also makes the labrum more vulnerable to tears.
• Snapping hip syndrome: Similar to snapping scapula syndrome, this involves tendons rubbing against the outside of the joint. The popping or snapping sensation occurs from the rubbing, and is usually harmless. However, it sometimes causes damage. Snapping hip syndrome is sometimes referred to as dancer’s hip.
• Synovitis: The tissues surrounding the hip joint become inflamed.
• Loose fragments of bone: Fragments of bone or cartilage sometimes detach and float around within the hip joint.
• Infection of the hip joint: This can lead to a number of different issues and complications.
• Hip pointer: These are large, deep bruises to the iliac crest of the hip bone. Generally, people develop hip pointers after a hard fall or direct blow to the area. If it continues to worsen with home treatments, it may require more invasive treatment.

What Are the Advantages of Hip Arthroscopy?

The following are some of the advantages of a hip scope versus standard open hip surgery.

• Causes less trauma to the area than open surgery, which lessens the pain and scarring of the area.
• It is an outpatient procedure, which means that patients go home afterward.
• Has a shorter recovery period than open surgery.
• Can lessen the advancement of arthritis in the hip by treating its causes.
• Might eliminate or delay a hip replacement by engaging in preemptive treatments.

What Conditions Can a Hip Arthroscopy Treat?

This type of procedure has the ability to treat a multitude of issues involving the hip joint. However, there are three main reasons a doctor will recommend the procedure. We list these below.

Hip Labral Tear

The labrum is a band of cartilage that surrounds the socket’s outer edge and holds the ball joint in position. A hip labral tear occurs when this cartilage rips. It can rupture as a result of trauma, injury, or overuse, or as a result of FAI or hip dysplasia. Nearly 75% of hip labral tears, on the other hand, have no recognized origin.

The surgeon can occasionally mend the labrum, and other times they can only surgically remove or eliminate the injured tissue. A graft may be used to repair the labrum. A labral tear is frequently detected by CT scans or MRIs, although not always.

Femoroacetabular Impingement

FAI occurs when atypical bone growths on the extremity of the thigh bone or in the hip socket obstruct joint mobility. Bone spurs are abnormal growths that produce uneven contact between the bones and hinder normal, smooth mobility. FAI can also cause soft tissue damage and labral tears.

FAI may affect people of any age, from early adolescence through maturity. While hip arthroscopy surgery can reduce the risk of osteoarthritis, it does not completely eradicate it. This operation, on the other hand, can do the following.

• Modify the head of the femur or the hip socket
• Inhibit the inflammation resulting from repetitive motions
• Reduce the risk of osteoarthritis
• Aid in relieving the painful symptoms

Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a condition in which the hip socket does not enclose as much of the ball as intended, causing the joint to readily dislodge. It is most commonly caused by shallow hip sockets, although it can also be caused by excessive wear and tear of the joint. Hip dysplasia can induce a labral tear by damaging the cartilage in the joint.

Labrum reconstruction through arthroscopy can help relieve painful hip discomfort in mild or moderate dysplasia situations. It will not, however, deepen the socket. Hip osteoarthritis is more likely in people who have shallow sockets.

Hip arthroscopy attempts to alleviate current painful hip issues, however it does not prevent the development of arthritis. Larger reconstructive procedures, such as periacetabular osteotomy, are possibilities for advanced dysplasia patients.

What Is the Hip Arthroscopy Procedure Like?

Your leg will be tractioned at the commencement of the operation. This means your hip will be pushed away from the socket long enough for the surgeon to introduce tools, examine the whole joint, and provide the necessary treatments. Surgeons trace lines on the hip to highlight particular anatomical features, as well as incision locations and arthroscopy ports.

After applying traction, your surgeon will insert an arthroscope through a tiny incision in your hip. He or she can look into your hip with the arthroscope and see if there is any damage. To maintain a clear view and manage any bleeding, fluid passes through the arthroscope. On the computer monitor, images from the arthroscope are displayed. This shows your surgeon the interior of your hip and any abnormalities. Before initiating any particular remedies, your surgeon will examine the joint.

Once the issue has been found, your surgeon will use small devices to fix it through different incisions. Based on your requirements, a variety of treatments can be performed. For instance, your surgeon might be able to perform the following.

• Repair or smooth out any torn cartilage
• Trim any bone spurs
• Remove inflamed tissue

Shaving, cutting, gripping, suture passage, and knot tying are all done using specialized equipment. Special instruments are frequently employed to secure sutures in bone. The duration of the operation will be determined by your surgeon’s findings as well as the amount of work that has to be done. The arthroscopy incisions are generally closed or covered with adhesive patches at the conclusion of operation. The hip is covered with an absorbent bandage.

Is Hip Arthroscopy Right for You?

A hip arthroscopy is often not necessary to make a diagnosis since we employ high-resolution MRI imaging technologies. Our cutting-edge scans may indicate that your injury or illness is treatable without surgery, such as through physical therapy. As a result, arthroscopic surgery is typically reserved for reparative procedures rather than exploratory procedures. Your doctor will likely do the following before determining whether arthroscopy is right for you.

• Ask about your medical history and symptoms
• Observe imagine scans, such as X-rays or CT scans
• Perform a physical examination that includes range of motion tests

What Is Recovery Like After a Hip Arthroscopy?

For most desk jobs, you’ll require a minimum of one to two weeks away. When you return to the office, your hip will be uncomfortable, but it shouldn’t interfere with your job role if you don’t do any straining, carrying, pushing, or tugging.

After a hip arthroscopy, you’ll typically need three months to recuperate completely before you can resume heavy lifting. While there are no hard and fast guidelines on when you may return to work, following these principles should assist you in getting back to work with ease and at the proper time.

How Long Does Pain Last After Hip Arthroscopy?

Symptoms usually improve right away after the treatment, although some pain may return when the inflamed joint lining heals, as well as transient discomfort in the hip and knee from the tension.

The fluid used during surgery may potentially cause a sense of water in the hip or gurgling noises, although this will be swiftly absorbed into the body. The swelling should go down in a week or so, and any stitches should be taken out in seven to 10 days. Depending on the exact treatment done during your operation, your entire recovery rate may vary.

Patients who get a hip arthroscopy generally have to use crutches for one or two weeks following surgery and go through six weeks of physical therapy. It might take three to six months for them to feel pain-free following physical exercise.

What Are the Potential Complications of a Hip Arthroscopy?

Every procedure has some level of risk. Complications might be short-term or long-term. It’s unusual to have any long-term problems after hip arthroscopy, and the majority are merely transitory. There are unique hazards associated with hip arthroscopy, as well as the typical dangers associated with general anesthesia.

About 5% of individuals have reported a change in sensation or transient numbness in their genital area and pelvis as a result of the procedure. This sensation is caused by a combination of stress on the groin nerves and hip joint distraction during surgery. The numbness generally fades after a few days, although it might last longer. Other possible complications include the following.

• Fractures
• Infections
• Increased levels of pain
• Impotence
• Bleeding
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Breaking of the surgical instruments
• Worsening symptoms
• Long periods of healing
• Stiffness
• Arthritis development
• Issues resulting from anesthesia

How to Manage Postoperative Pain and Discomfort

Ice and medicine can help you manage pain and discomfort. After surgery, you should ice your hip. Apply ice to your hip a few times a day for at least 20 minutes, but not directly to the skin. After your operation, you can utilize a cold treatment device to assist in reducing swelling and discomfort.

The day of your operation, your doctor will write you a prescription for pain medication. You may want to call your local pharmacy ahead of time to order an anti-inflammatory. To help avoid blood clots, you may want to start taking aspirin.

Will I Need Physical Therapy After My Surgery?

Following your procedure, you’ll be given an appropriate recovery regimen based on the treatment done. Depending on how far along your rehabilitation you are, your physical therapist will assist you in returning to athletic activities such as jogging. This timing varies greatly from person to person and is determined on the operation results as well as the length of your symptoms prior to surgery.

Approximately six to eight weeks after surgery, you should be able to walk relatively pain-free. Returning to an upper fitness level, on the other hand, may take three to six months or longer. Any sudden rise in discomfort can be treated with ice and anti-inflammatory medication.

Contact SPORT Orthopedics and Physical Therapy Today

If you suffered an injury to your hip or experience pain from natural wear and tear, we have treatment options for you. At SPORT, we offer hip arthroscopy, hip labral tear surgery, hip replacement surgery, rotator cuff surgery, and other options for various conditions. To schedule an appointment with a Texas sports medicine professional or a Dallas physical therapist, please call 469-200-2832. You can also fill out our online intake form.