Hip arthroscopy is a procedure that uses a small camera called an arthroscope. The camera allows your surgeon to view and repair your joint with small tools through tiny incisions, which makes healing much faster than with more extensive, open surgeries.
At California Orthopedics & Spine, our hip specialist, Dr. Mark Lawler, has mastered this technique, and he has years of experience performing arthroscopic procedures. Our goal is always to use the least invasive treatment possible to help our patients. Hip arthroscopy can treat several conditions, and in some cases, it can eliminate the need for a full hip replacement later on.
Benefits of Hip Arthroscopy
Hip arthroscopy offers patients a variety of benefits over other forms of hip surgery:
- Smaller surgical sites than open surgeries, which leads less post-operative discomfort
- Faster recovery time, allowing patients to resume their normal routines faster
- Can prevent the need for a later partial or full hip replacement
- A better view of the problem for your surgeon via the arthroscopic camera tool
Conditions Treated Through Hip Arthroscopy
A wide variety of conditions can affect your hips and joints. Some conditions require a full hip replacement for treatment, but many hip problems can be solved using the less-invasive arthroscopic procedure. If you are experiencing hip pain related to one of the following conditions, hip arthroscopy may be right for you:
- Hip/femur impingement. When excess bone starts to form on certain parts of the hip, it can start to get caught on the other joint tissues. These bony growths can cause pain and damage the soft tissues in your hip, but arthroscopic surgery can be used to repair the soft tissue and prevent future snags.
- Shallow hip sockets (dysplasia). Some individuals have especially shallow hip sockets, which can cause excess strain on the joint. Shallow hip sockets are more likely to cause tearing around the soft tissue in the hip. Arthroscopic surgery can repair this damage.
- Snapping hips. Tendons in the hips can make a snapping or popping sound as they rub across the joint. Sometimes this popping is harmless, but in other cases, the tendon can be damaged from excess rubbing, requiring surgical treatment.
- Loose cartilage or bone. The bones in the hip joint are surrounded by a cartilage lining. This cartilage is a softer, more rubbery tissue that absorbs shock and allows for smooth movements. When little pieces of cartilage or bone become detached from the rest of the hip, the fragments can cause pain and other problems. These loose bodies/fragments can be found and removed through arthroscopic surgery.
Hip Arthroscopy in Novato, CA
Whether your hip problems are the result of an injury or normal wear and tear, our specialists can help diagnose your condition and find a treatment option that works for you. To learn more about hip arthroscopy or some of the other hip treatments we offer, contact our office today. One of our staff members will be happy to assist you.