If you are dealing with persistent pain that interferes with your normal activities, stiffness or a limited range of motion, your doctor may recommend a hip arthroscopy. This procedure uses small incisions and a tiny camera to diagnose and treat a number of common hip conditions that are causing pain and discomfort. The camera enables the surgeon to see clearly inside the hip joint and the images are projected onto a larger screen nearby. Small specialist instruments are used to treat any problems. It is recommended for patients that are no longer responding to other treatments such as pain medication, physiotherapy and rest.

Hip arthroscopy can relieve the painful symptoms associated with many problems such as bone overgrowth (hip impingement), abnormal hip development (dysplasia) and inflamed tissue (synovitis). It is also used to remove any loose fragments of bone and cartilage that can dislodge and float around the joint causing pain.

General recovery times

Hip arthroscopy is a relatively short operation and you are likely to be discharged the same day with some crutches to help you get around. You will experience some pain after surgery, but this is completely normal. Pain relief and ice packs will be provided to help reduce the swelling, and your hip may continue to feel sore for up to two weeks. A physiotherapist will visit you in hospital and develop a personalised rehabilitation program.

After this point, your recovery time will very much depend on the actual repair work that was done within the hip joint. Certain activities such as prolonged standing, heavy lifting and squatting should be avoided for up to eight weeks after surgery. After this time, you should be able to move around without pain, although it may take up to six months to return to full fitness.

Familiarising yourself with your treatment program and understanding the recovery process are important steps to take on the pathway to surgery.

• Patient Journey - Hip Surgery