Hip Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure which is performed in either a hospital's operating room or in an outpatient surgery center. Like any surgical procedure, there are potential risks and complications to consider. Please review these with your surgeon.
The patient is administered general anesthesia or a spinal nerve block as is indicated. The patient is placed upon their back on a special table which has boots to hold the patient's feet. After careful positioning, the patient's affected leg has a pulling force applied to the foot which distracts and opens the hip joint space and gives the surgeon room to see and work. A real time X-Ray machine gives the surgeon instant feedback on the location and position of the surgical instruments used and of the joint space itself.
The patient's skin is cleansed and surgical drapes are applied. A long needle is placed into the hip joint under x-ray guidance and the hip joint is filled with sterile water. A small ¼" incision is made to create a portal for the introduction of the arthroscope. Using a series of cannulas (tubes), the arthroscope is placed into the hip joint and a continuous water flow is established. Then a thorough inspection of the hip joint is performed. Depending upon the disorder that is observed, your surgeon will employ additional portals around your hip joint and introduce a variety of specialized surgical instruments to achieve your surgical needs.
