Hip Arthroscopy
At Advanced Center for Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, our hip specialists strive to provide the best hip care available in northwest Kentucky by offering state-of-the-art surgeries such as hip arthroscopy.
Hip arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgery that allows the doctor to see the damaged hip with smaller incisions. Using a small scope-like camera, our arthroscopic hip surgeon, Dr. William Polio, can repair damage and disease while minimizing trauma to the surrounding tissue.
When to Get Hip Arthroscopy
Patients who would benefit from hip arthroscopy are active individuals with minimal or no hip arthritis. Those who have advanced hip arthritis or have severe loss of bone cartilage are not good candidates and would better benefit from other hip surgeries, including hip replacement or an additional surgical procedure.
Using the most advanced physical and diagnostic exams, our hip arthroscopy surgeon, Dr. Polio, can determine if hip arthroscopy is the most suitable approach.
Conditions hip arthroscopy treats include the following:
- Bursitis
- Cartilage damage
- Femoroacetabular impingement (loss of cartilage causes ball and hip cup to pinch)
- Gluteal tendon tears
- Hip dysplasia
- Labral tears
- Snapping hip
What to Expect
During hip arthroscopy surgery, Dr. Polio will make three to four small incisions. Using an arthroscope, or small camera, and a small portable X-ray, he will guide special surgical instruments to locate and repair the cause of the problem.
These instruments may be used to cut away (debride) the frayed cartilage or labrum and any bumps of bone that are responsible for the damage and hip pain. Dr. Polio may also use a technique called microfracture to drill holes into patches of bare bone to promote the formation of fibrocartilage where it has been lost.
Benefits
Benefits patients can expect after hip arthroscopy include:
- Faster recovery time
- Less pain
- Less risk of infection
- Minimal scarring
- Minimal hip pain
- Early treatment of conditions that can cause hip arthritis
- Reduced blood loss
Recovering After Hip Arthroscopy
Following the procedure, minimal weight should be put on the hip. Postoperative appointments will need to be scheduled to track progress and figure out the best recovery plan.
Physical therapy will start one to two days after surgery. Typically, patients can return to their daily lives after three to four months of therapy accompanied by in-home exercises. For those wanting to return to physical activity, it may take longer due to the pain that may occur.
Following hip arthroscopy, up to 90% of patients resumed sports and other physical activity at the level they were before their onset of hip pain. Though many of these patients improved, the impact that hip arthroscopy has on arthritis is unclear. If a patient has underlying skeletal deformities or degeneration conditions, they may not experience as much relief as those with simpler symptoms, such as impingement.
Our Hip Arthroscopy Doctor
As the only surgeon performing hip arthroscopy in the Owensboro area, Dr. William Polio has the training and expertise to offer the most advanced hip care focused on our patients and their needs.
Request an Appointment
To learn more about hip arthroscopy at Advanced Center for Orthopedics & Sports Medicine or for an appointment, please call (270) 926-4100 or request an appointment online.