What is Hip Arthroscopy?

This refers to surgery in the hip joint performed through small incisions (key hole) using specialized equipment to manage injured areas of the hip joint.  This is a highly sub specialized field in Orthopaedic surgery that has advanced in the last few years due to a better understanding of hip joint problems, and technological advancements in surgical equipment.  Formerly, the surgeon needs to dislocate the hip joint in order to reach the damaged joint structures.  With hip arthroscopy, the same can be achieved in a much less invasive manner, leading to less pain following surgery and faster recovery.

Problems of the Hip Joint

The hip joint is a major joint in the body made up of the ball of the upper end thigh bone called the femoral head, contained in the hollow socket of the pelvic bone called the acetabulum.  The contact surface of the joint is covered by cartilage, which is a smooth lining tissue.  The labrum is a thick layer of supporting tissue that surrounds and seals the hip joint.  A layer of covering tissue called synovium lines the inside of the joint providing nutrition fluid to the joint tissues.

The functioning of the hip joint is very intricate, and damage of the structures mentioned above will cause problems.  These problems can present in various manner.  Some individuals may notice a gradual worsening of deep aches, or a sudden traumatic event leading to a painful limp.  In some cases, the pain may be accompanied with a loud snap or clicks when moving the hip.  When there is stiffness in the joint, there will be difficulty bending the joint during daily activities such as squatting down, getting out of the car, or crossing legs to tie shoelaces.  The hip pain is usually made worse with impact-loading activities like running and jumping, and extreme movements of the joint like squatting down or stretching.  At night, the pain and discomfort may disturb and affect sleep.

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Expert Author:

Dr Chong Kian Chun, Island Orthopaedic Consultants