What is a hip arthroscopy?
A hip arthroscopy is a keyhole operation: through two or three small incisions of around two to three centimetres, your orthopaedic surgeon inserts a camera and fine instruments into your hip joint. This allows the labrum to be repaired with stitches, excess bone to be shaved away in cases of FAI, and damaged cartilage to be treated — all without opening up the joint.
What does the pathway look like?
We explain each step of the pathway on its own page:
The operation itself — preparation, what happens, and the first hours afterwards
Results — what you can expect from the operation
Risks — an honest overview of what can go wrong
Alternatives — exercise therapy, hip replacement and Ganz osteotomy
Informed consent — your right to information and consent
Shared decision-making — how you help decide on your treatment
Results in brief
For most people with FAI or a labral tear, a hip arthroscopy leads to a clear improvement in symptoms. The result does depend on a number of factors, such as age and the extent of cartilage damage. Read the details on the page about results.
Risks in brief
Complications are rare, but they do occur. Examples include temporary numbness, bleeding after surgery, or thrombosis. On the page about risks you can read exactly what can happen and how often.
Not everyone has surgery
A hip arthroscopy is not the only way forward. Exercise therapy combined with adjusting your activity levels is usually the first step, and in specific situations a hip replacement or a Ganz osteotomy may be a better alternative. Read more about this on the page about alternatives.
Reaching a decision together
You don't make the choice for surgery on your own. Your orthopaedic surgeon informs you about all the options and risks (informed consent), and together you weigh up what best suits your situation and wishes (shared decision-making).