Shared decision-making: you're an active partner

Shared decision-making means that your orthopaedic surgeon doesn't just tell you what is medically possible, but also asks what matters to you. With hip problems, there is often more than one reasonable option — continuing with exercise therapy, surgery now, or surgery later — and the best choice depends partly on your situation, sport, work and appetite for risk.

A simple tool to guide the conversation, developed by the Dutch Patients' Federation (Patiëntenfederatie Nederland):

To help you on your way, we've created a decision aid: an overview comparing exercise therapy and hip arthroscopy side by side, showing what each treatment involves, what you can expect from it, and what risks come with it. Print the card or bring it to your appointment, so you can ask focused questions.

Before the conversation, think about what carries the most weight for you: do you want to return to sport as soon as possible, even if that means a greater risk? Or would you rather try a period of exercise therapy first, even if recovery then takes longer? There is no right or wrong answer — it's about what suits you.

As long as the choice is well-considered and fits your situation and wishes, there is no wrong choice, regardless of the outcome of the treatment chosen. Your orthopaedic surgeon helps you get a clear picture of the medical side; the final decision is one you make together.