Arthroscopic (key-hole) surgery allows the surgeon to perform selected procedures through smaller incisions than previously used with traditional “open” surgery. Arthroscopic surgery is also very useful to help diagnose conditions of the hip by allowing the surgeon to visualise the inside of the hip joint.

A camera is passed into the hip joint through a small incision, allowing the surgeon to see the inside of the hip on a display in the operating room in real-time. Other small incisions can be made to allow specially designed instruments (about the width of a pencil) to pass into the hip to perform surgical procedures.

Here are some operations that can be performed via arthroscopic surgery in the hip:

• Diagnostic arthroscopy
• Labral tear debridement and repair
• Reshaping of bony surfaces to treat femoracetabular impingement

For more information on hip arthroscopy click here