From uchealth.org
Hip pain in younger adults can be hard to diagnose. If non-surgical options fail, hip arthroscopy may help people return to pain-free activities
Younger adults suffering from certain types of hip pain can get relief, as well as potentially prevent future problems such as hip arthritis, with an outpatient arthroscopy procedure.
Arthroscopy for the hip is the relative new kid on the block compared to similar procedures done on the knee and shoulder. It can relieve pain in adults with certain hip problems who are not responding to nonsurgical procedures.
“The goal of hip arthroscopy is to get you back pain free to the activities you love, and it may postpone having hip arthritis for years or even decades,” said Dr. Jay Thompson, an orthopaedic surgeon in Steamboat Springs and a member of the medical staff at UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center.
What is causing your hip pain?
The hip joint is like a basic ball and socket and is one of the largest joints in the human body – it is vital to movement. Pain there can happen for many reasons, such as wear and tear from age, traumatic accidents, genetic conditions and certain repetitive motions or exercises.
The origin of hip pain can be difficult to diagnosis, Thompson said. Patients usually have specific symptoms such as deep hip or groin pain, or pain that comes with squatting, skating or deep inflection motions.
Doctors may diagnose some patients with femoroacetabular impingement, or FAI, which is more commonly known as hip impingement. This occurs when excess bone causes the ball and socket of the hip joint to not fit together properly. Other patients may have a symptomatic hip labral tear, which is when the cartilage that lines and protects the hip socket is damaged.
“Many of us experience hip pain at some time or another, and these more specific conditions can be commonly missed,” said Thompson. “It’s best to see a specialist for evaluation and treatment.”
When is arthroscopy for hip pain in younger adults recommended?
Patients suffering from hip pain are usually referred to physical or occupational therapy for pain management, as well as told to rest and modify the sports or physical activity that they suspect is the source of the pain.
If the condition does not improve, medication or pain injections to relieve inflammation are typically prescribed. Doctors commonly use Injections not only to treat the pain but also to confirm the diagnosis, as hip pain can be originate from various sources.
If those non-surgical options don’t provide relief, hip arthroscopy may be recommended.
“Hip arthroscopy is a good choice for a patient who is in pain from hip impingement or a labral tear,” said Thompson. “Once treated, it can help prevent arthritis in the future.”
What happens during the procedure?
During hip arthroscopy, a patient is placed under anaesthesia. A surgeon makes a small incision in the hip and uses a special device with a small camera to see the joint. Loose or damaged tissue such as the labrum can be removed, repaired or reconstructed, and the bone can be reshaped to within normal tolerances.
The minimally invasive approach means that patients can go home the same day and typically have a quicker recovery time.
“Hip arthroscopy can improve hip pain and can even prevent or postpone a person from getting early onset hip arthritis,” said Thompson. “We can repair the labrum and reshape the bone. It’s not a 100% guarantee, but for patients in their 30s and 40s, it can give them another 10 to 20 years of good hip life.”
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