Hip Arthroscopy

Hip arthroscopy, sometimes called a “hip scope,” is a minimally invasive procedure in which an orthopaedic surgeon uses an arthroscope to examine and treat the inside of the hip joint. This technique allows your surgeon to address a wide range of non-arthritic hip disorders through small incisions, leading to less pain and faster recovery.

Minimally-Invasive Procedure

Hip arthroscopy is performed using a small camera inserted through a tiny incision. The camera displays detailed images of the hip joint on a monitor, allowing the surgeon to diagnose and treat problems that previously required larger, open procedures. Additional small incisions may be used to insert specialized surgical tools.

Hip Arthroscopy at Andrews Sports Medicine

Hip arthroscopy is routinely performed by Benton A. Emblom, MD, a fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon specializing in hip preservation. This procedure is commonly recommended for soft-tissue injuries and structural problems caused by acute trauma or chronic, repetitive movement.

What Are Non-Arthritic Hip Disorders?

Non-arthritic hip disorders involve soft tissues or bony structures of the hip that are injured or irritated without advanced joint arthritis. Common non-arthritic hip conditions treated arthroscopically include:

• Labral tears
• Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI)
• Ligamentum teres injuries
• Internal snapping hip (iliopsoas)
• External snapping hip (iliotibial band)
• Loose bodies inside the joint
• Piriformis syndrome
• Gluteus medius tears

Labral Tear

The labrum is a ring of cartilage around the hip socket that provides stability and cushioning. Tears may occur from:

• Acute trauma (such as hip dislocation)
• Repetitive stress
• Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI)

Labral tears often cause groin pain, clicking, or catching sensations.

Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI)

FAI is a structural condition in which extra bone on the femoral head (cam deformity) or acetabular rim (pincer deformity) leads to abnormal contact and cartilage injury. Types include:

• Cam impingement: A misshapen femoral head increases friction and causes labral tears.
• Pincer impingement: The socket over-covers the femoral head, pinching the labrum.

Both forms may lead to pain, stiffness, and long-term cartilage damage.

Internal Snapping Hip

Internal snapping hip occurs when the iliopsoas tendon becomes inflamed and snaps over the femoral head. This causes:

• Anterior hip snapping
• Clicking or catching
• Pain with hip flexion

External Snapping Hip

External snapping hip occurs when the iliotibial (IT) band becomes inflamed and snaps over the greater trochanter. It is commonly associated with:

• Trochanteric bursitis
• Lateral hip pain
• Snapping on the outer hip

Piriformis Syndrome

Piriformis syndrome occurs when the piriformis muscle compresses the sciatic nerve, causing:

• Pain in the buttock
• Radiating leg pain
• Symptoms that mimic sciatica

Gluteus Medius Tear

The gluteus medius is a major hip abductor. Tears may occur from:

• Chronic overuse
• Repetitive motion
• A traumatic fall

This condition often results in lateral hip pain and weakness.

How Are These Disorders Diagnosed?

A thorough and accurate diagnosis may involve:

• Full patient history
• Physical examination
• Diagnostic imaging such as X-rays or MRI
• CT scan in select cases
• Diagnostic intra-articular injections

Conservative Treatment

Many non-arthritic hip conditions improve with conservative treatment, including:

• Rest and activity modification
• Physical therapy
• Anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs)
• Image-guided intra-articular injections

What Is Hip Arthroscopy?

When conservative treatment fails, hip arthroscopy may be necessary. Advancements in arthroscopic equipment allow surgeons to:

• Visualize internal hip structures through tiny incisions
• Repair soft tissues
• Reshape bone abnormalities (cam or pincer)
• Reduce pain and restore function

Hip arthroscopy allows for:

• Smaller incisions
• Faster recovery
• Less postoperative pain
• Outpatient surgery in most cases

Dr. Benton A. Emblom uses a specialized HANA table during surgery to position patients optimally and improve efficiency in the operating room.

Labral Repair vs. Debridement

During surgery, treatment for labral injury may include:

• Labral repair: Reattaching the labrum using anchors and sutures
• Labral debridement: Smoothing or removing frayed areas of the labrum

Your surgeon will determine the appropriate technique based on your injury.

Femoroplasty / Acetabuloplasty

These procedures reshape the bone to correct FAI:

• Femoroplasty: Shaving or reshaping the femoral head to eliminate cam impingement
• Acetabuloplasty: Reshaping the socket to eliminate pincer impingement

Iliopsoas Release

For internal snapping hip, the surgeon may release the iliopsoas tendon, reducing tension and preventing snapping. The tendon heals in a lengthened position over time.

IT Band Lengthening / Trochanteric Bursectomy

These procedures treat external snapping hip by:

• Lengthening the IT band
• Removing the inflamed trochanteric bursa

Gluteus Medius Repair

Depending on the tear, arthroscopic repair may be possible using small anchors to secure the tendon and allow proper healing.

Initial Recovery

Most patients can bear weight immediately after surgery, although crutches are recommended for at least two weeks to protect the surgical site.

Rehabilitation

A formal rehabilitation program typically begins 1–3 days after surgery and continues 2–3 times per week. Full recovery varies, but most hip arthroscopy patients recover within approximately four months.

Benton A. Emblom, MD

Benton A. Emblom, MD, is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopaedic sports medicine surgeon specializing in hip preservation and hip arthroscopy. He is part of The Hip Center at Andrews Sports Medicine and treats a wide range of non-arthritic hip disorders using advanced minimally-invasive techniques.

Dr. Emblom serves as a head team orthopaedic physician for Auburn University, the University of Alabama, Hoover High School, and several additional high schools.

To request an appointment online, CLICK HERE or contact Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center at (205) 939-3699.