It is the central tool of hip preservation in young, active patients, when the cartilage is still healthy. Its advantages are small incisions, less postoperative pain and a faster recovery than open surgery.
Not every hip is a candidate: where arthritis is already advanced, arthroscopy is not the answer — there the answer is replacement. That is why patient selection is what most determines the outcome.
Dr. Kushner’s approach: arthroscopy shines in the right hip, at the right time. Choosing the patient well — healthy cartilage, a clear cause — is half the success.
When to seek care without waiting
- Pain that comes on suddenly and stops you bearing weight, especially after a stumble or a fall.
- Fever with a hot, swollen, very painful hip: joint infection must be ruled out.
- Night pain that does not settle at rest and worsens week after week.
- Unexplained weight loss, or a history of cancer.
- Numbness or tingling running down the leg, or weakness that is getting worse.
Frequently asked questions
Does it help arthritis?
Not advanced arthritis. It is a preservation technique, for labral tears and impingement with healthy cartilage.
How long is the recovery?
It is faster than open surgery, but it needs weeks of directed rehabilitation for a good result.
Is it minor surgery?
The incisions are small, but it is a technically demanding procedure requiring traction and work inside a deep joint. Recovery is real and structured, not immediate.
When can I return to sport?
It depends on the sporting demand and on what was done inside the joint. Return is guided by strength and control milestones, not by the calendar.
Who is it not suitable for?
Anyone with established arthritis: in that hip, arthroscopy does not solve the problem. Caution is also needed in dysplasia, where it can increase instability.
References
- Griffin DR, et al. Hip arthroscopy versus best conservative care for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (UK FASHIoN). Lancet. 2018;391(10136):2225-2235. DOI
Book your assessment
Book a consultation with Dr. Kushner at COMEDSA. Bring any previous imaging for a complete assessment.
Educational information reviewed by Dr. Michael Kushner Shrem. It does not replace an in-person medical assessment.