Hip Arthroscopy

Hip arthroscopy is a minimally invasive, outpatient surgical procedure used to diagnose and treat various conditions affecting the hip joint. This procedure involves the insertion of the arthroscope, a small camera with a light, into the hip through tiny incisions. The arthroscope allows Dr. Kaplan to view the inside of the joint to diagnose and repair damage using specialized instruments.

1. Minimally Invasive: Hip arthroscopy is performed using small incisions (often less than an inch long) and specialized instruments. This technique minimizes damage to the surrounding tissues, muscles, and ligaments, compared to traditional open surgery.
2. Reduced Pain: Due to the minimally invasive nature of the procedure, patients typically experience less postoperative pain. This often results in a reduced need for pain medications during the recovery period.
3. Faster Recovery Time: With smaller incisions and less tissue disruption, patients generally recover more quickly than they would from open hip surgery. Most patients can return to light activities within a few weeks and gradually progress to more intense activities, including sports, in a few months.
4. Lower Risk of Complications: The risk of complications such as infection, blood loss, or joint stiffness is generally lower with hip arthroscopy than with open surgery. The smaller incisions also result in less scarring.
5. Improved Diagnostic Accuracy: The use of an arthroscope provides a clear, magnified view of the hip joint, allowing the surgeon to diagnose issues accurately. This detailed visualization can identify problems that may not be visible on imaging tests like X-rays or MRIs, enabling precise treatment.
6. Effective Treatment of Various Conditions: Hip arthroscopy can address a range of hip issues, such as labral tears, femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), cartilage damage, loose bodies, and synovitis. By treating these conditions early, arthroscopy can prevent further joint damage and deterioration.
7. Preservation of Hip Joint: By correcting structural problems in the hip, such as reshaping bone spurs in femoroacetabular impingement or repairing labral tears, hip arthroscopy can help preserve the natural joint. This proactive approach can delay or even prevent the progression to osteoarthritis, potentially reducing the need for more extensive procedures like hip replacement.
8. Enhanced Mobility and Quality of Life: Successful hip arthroscopy can significantly reduce hip pain and improve joint function. This leads to better mobility, enabling patients to resume daily activities, sports, and exercise, ultimately enhancing their overall quality of life.

Hip arthroscopy is employed for a variety of conditions affecting the hip joint, especially when conservative treatments such as physical therapy, medications, or injections do not provide relief. Common conditions treated with hip arthroscopy include:

1. Labral Tears: Tears in the labrum, the ring of cartilage that surrounds the hip socket, can cause pain and instability. A hip labral tear often develops due to chronic hip impingement, sports injuries, hip dysplasia, hip dislocation, or degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis. This condition can result in hip and groin pain, stiffness, joint instability, and an increased risk of developing osteoarthritis in the hip joint. Arthroscopy allows Dr. Kaplan to repair or debride or surgically remove damaged or frayed portion of the damaged labrum to reduce pain, improve joint function and prevent further damage to the joint
2. Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI): This is a condition in which there is an abnormal shape or alignment of the hip joint bones, causing them to rub against each other causing pain, stiffness, and a decreased range of motion. Over time, this excessive friction can lead to labral tears and cartilage damage, increasing the risk of developing osteoarthritis in the hip. During hip arthroscopy Dr. Kaplan can reshape the bones to improve joint function.
3. Cartilage Damage: Damage to the articular cartilage lining the hip joint can lead to pain and restricted mobility. Arthroscopy allows for the debridement or repair of the damaged cartilage.
4. Loose Bodies: Pieces of bone or cartilage that have broken off and float within the joint space can cause pain. These pieces of bone and cartilage can be removed using arthroscopy.
5. Synovitis: Inflammation of the joint lining (synovium) can cause pain and swelling. Arthroscopy can be used to remove inflamed synovial tissue.
6. Hip Dysplasia: In cases of mild hip dysplasia, where the bones in the hip do not fit together properly, can cause pain and stiffness, damage cartilage and cause labral tears. Hip arthroscopy may be used to treat labral tears or cartilage wear.
7. Tendon Tears: Hip tendons are vital to maintain joint stability and enable movement. Tears in these tendons can cause significant pain, weakness, and functional impairment. Hip arthroscopy is typically considered when conservative treatments, such as physical therapy, medications, and injections, have not provided sufficient relief for tendon tears. This approach is especially effective for partial tendon tears or small, localized damage.