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The Advantages of Arthroscopic Hip Surgery

When a hip injury or condition is severe enough and conservative treatments fail to produce successful outcomes, it may require a surgical repair. Hip surgery once involved a large, open incision and a significant recovery time. Today, however, many hip problems can be surgically corrected with a hip surgery that’s performed through small incisions and camera-guidance in a technique called arthroscopy.

Arthroscopic hip surgery (minimally invasive hip surgery) offers a number of advantages over traditional hip surgery, including a lower risk of complications, shorter recovery period, and less scarring. Manhattan hip surgeon Dr. Teo Mendez specializes in hip arthroscopy for the treatment of many hip problems.

 

What is hip arthroscopy?

Arthroscopic hip surgery, also called hip arthroscopy or minimally invasive hip surgery, uses a tiny camera inserted through a small incision to visualize the inside of the hip joint. With this camera-guidance, a doctor can view the joint up close and make necessary repairs with great precision. While hip arthroscopy is a procedure that has been performed for many years, it isn’t as common as knee or shoulder arthroscopy.

 

What types of hip injuries would arthroscopic hip surgery be used for?

Non-operative management and traditional surgery may still be the preferred methods of treatment for many hip problems. When surgery is necessary, you should consult with an experienced orthopedic surgeon who can explain your options and determine whether a minimally invasive hip procedure would be best for your needs.

Some conditions that may be treated through arthroscopic hip surgery include:

Hip Dysplasia
In this condition, the head of the femur (upper leg bone) and its socket don’t fit together properly. This results in excessive wear and tear on the bone and soft tissue.

Femoroacetabular Impingement
An overgrowth of bone at the head of the femur, this condition causes the bones to “catch” or rub together rather than moving smoothly over each other. It can cause soft tissue injury or osteoarthritis.

Synovitis
This is inflammation of the synovium, the lining of the joint. It is often seen with other hip disorders.

Snapping Hip Syndrome
In this case, the hip “snaps” or “pops” with movement. It can have a variety of causes.

Loose Bodies in the Hip Joint
Loose bodies are bits of material such as chipped bone fragments or cartilage floating in the synovial fluid of the joint. This can be the result of osteoarthritis, fractures, or other reasons.

Hip Joint Infection
When an infection of the hip joint occurs, surgery may be necessary to remove infected tissue.

Other Hip Injuries
The hip joint is composed of the head of your upper leg bone, the bony socket of your hip, and a great deal of soft tissue including cartilage and tendons. Injuries to the soft tissues, as well as numerous other types of hip injuries may be good candidates for hip arthroscopy.

 

What’s involved with hip arthroscopy?

Hip arthroscopy is minimally invasive hip surgery, which means it’s performed using the smallest incisions possible. During the procedure, a camera, mounted on a tube, is inserted through one incision. This sends real-time video to a television screen, allowing your surgeon to see the inside of the joint and diagnose or treat your problem. Additional small incisions are made to allow access for surgical instruments, and Dr. Mendez uses the video images to guide his instruments as he performs repairs.

 

What are the advantages of arthroscopic hip surgery?

Hip arthroscopy offers a number of advantages over traditional hip surgery, including:

  • Less downtime
  • Faster recovery
  • Typically performed on an outpatient basis
  • Less scarring
  • Reduced risk of complications during and after surgery

 

Where can I find a top arthroscopic hip surgeon in NYC?

When you’re faced with the possibility of hip surgery, it’s essential to consult an orthopedic surgeon who can determine if arthroscopic hip surgery is right for you. In the event that surgery is necessary, consulting with a surgeon who specializes in hip arthroscopy will ensure that your procedure is performed with the most technical precision and best outcome.

Dr. Teo Mendez is a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon with a specialty in arthroscopic surgery and regularly performs hip arthroscopy procedures. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Mendez today to learn more about your treatment options.

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