What type of hip surgery is arthroscopy?

Hip arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure performed using a few very short incisions and specially designed instruments narrow enough to fit through the dime-sized opening.

During hip arthroscopy, the North Valley Orthopedic Institute team uses a camera in the scope to examine the joint and diagnose the cause of your pain. Then they insert narrow instruments through another tiny incision to perform your surgery.

You may need hip arthroscopy to relieve pain and other symptoms caused by conditions including: 

  • Femoroacetabular impingement (extra bone growth damages the soft tissues)
  • Labral tears (an injury in the ring of cartilage around the joint)
  • Dysplasia (shallow hip socket leads to labrum damage)
  • Synovitis (tissues lining the joint are inflamed)
  • Hip joint infection
  • Tendon injuries

You may also need hip arthroscopy for problems in the sacroiliac joint, which connects the hip bones to your lower spine. 

 

Can I get minimally invasive total hip replacement surgery?

You can get minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for a partial and full (total) hip replacement. Here’s what happens during the procedure:

Total hip replacement

When replacing the total joint, your surgeon removes the rounded top of the upper leg (femur) and places a metal stem in the center of the leg bone. Then they attach a metal or ceramic ball to the stem, creating a replacement for the upper leg.

Your surgeon removes the damaged cartilage in the hip socket and attaches a new metal socket to the bone, using screws or cement to hold it in place. Then they insert a plastic spacer in the socket to replace the cartilage.

Partial hip replacement

During a partial hip replacement, your surgeon only replaces the top part of your leg bone.

 

When would I need hip surgery to replace the joint?

Your North Valley Orthopedic Institute provider recommends replacing the joint when the tissues have been extensively damaged. Arthritis is the top cause of hip replacements, but you may suffer a fracture or develop another condition affecting the joint.

It may be time to get a hip replacement when:

  • Exercise and other nonsurgical treatments fail to ease your pain and stiffness
  • Hip pain disrupts your daily activities
  • Hip pain persists when resting
  • You have daily, debilitating hip pain

Don’t keep struggling with agonizing hip pain. Call North Valley Orthopedic Institute today or request an appointment online to learn about your treatment options.