(Hip impingement syndrome – arthroscopy; Femora – acetabular impingement – arthroscopy; FAI – arthroscopy; Labrum – arthroscopy, Hip arthroscopy abroad)
Quick facts
| Benefits | detailed diagnosis, full physical function |
| Anesthesia | general |
| Stay in Poland – Basic Package | 4 days |
| Stay in Poland – Comfort Package | 7 days |
| Stay in Poland – Full Rehabilitation Package | 14 days |
| Follow up | next day, 3 days, 10 days stitches removal, 6 weeks after surgery, then if needed |
| Back to work time (office) | 6 weeks |
| Full recovery time | 8-12 weeks with rehabilitation |
| Driving | 2 weeks |
| Approximate Package cost | please see in fees section |
1. General Treatment Information
a) Expected results, benefits
What are the benefits of undergoing a hip arthroscopy?
Hip arthroscopy is a safe way to look inside the joint to specify the diagnosis or to treat it. The greatest advantage of the arthroscopy comparing to the open surgery is that owing to smaller incisions the recovery is much faster, the infringement of the joint is much milder, rehabilitation process is easier and cosmetic outcome excellent. Hip arthroscopy is also a great way to diagnose the hip problems reason – no radiographic examination of the hip, even including high-contrast gadolinium-enhanced arthrography magnetic resonance imaging, is that sensitive for the labral tears of chondral lesions diagnosis. In many cases, the arthroscopy can entirely solve the hip problem, with no longer need of next surgery or treatment.
b) About the procedure
Hip arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgery method, where the doctor looks inside the hip joint with a tiny camera inserted to your hip through the small incision. There is a large variety of surgical procedures using that technique. In this kind of surgery you will need an anaesthesia, but after discussion with the doctor, you will both decide, taking into consideration health and other factors, which kind will be most suitable: general or regional (spinal). By the spinal anaesthesia, medicine is injected into space in your spine, you will not feel anything from the waist down, but will stay conscious
c) Treatment Schedule
On the day of your hip arthroscopy, you will be asked not to drink or eat anything for 6-12 hours before the surgery. You will be adhibited an anaesthesia. If you stay conscious you may be able to track the surgery on the monitor. Through the small surgical cuts in the hip skin, the arthroscope will be inserted into the joint. The surgeon will look inside carefully with the little camera to see the damage. Another instrument may also be inserted if the doctor needs to fix a problem. Sometimes if the injury requires this, the surgeon may remove some pieces of the bone. After the procedure, the saline will be drained out, and cuts will be closed with stitches. The whole procedure usually takes two hours.
d) Potential side effects
What are the possible side effects of hip arthroscopy?
Although the procedure is considered as safe and complications occur infrequently, there is always a small risk that you may feel some discomfort. Most commonly you may feel numbness around the cuts, which will get better with time. You may also feel the numbness in the perineal area. In very rare cases there might be a possibility of bleeding inside the joint, hip stiffness, blood clots in legs, damage to other ligaments inside the hip, wound infection. Also, general anaesthesia may cause risks like allergic reactions or breathing problems.
e) Full Recovery Time
How long does it take to recovery after hip arthroscopy?
The day after the surgery you will have your first Physical Therapy session. You will be taught how to use crutches, brace, how to shower and how to take care of your hip. The therapist will show you how to exercise performing very calm and gentle exercises. After 3-5 weeks you may stop using crutches. After 6-9 weeks you could be walking without hobble although you may feel some stiffness. At 12-16 weeks your hip will be well healed, and you could start running.
2. Patient’s preparation
How shall I prepare myself for hip arthroscopy?
The surgeon will explain to you how to behave before, during and after hip arthroscopy, probably doctor will ask you to stop smoking – it increases a risk of getting a wound infection, and also may slow down your recovery or even lead to complications. You may receive anticlotting injections to prevent you from having blood clots. If you have a general anaesthesia, you will be asked not to eat or drink anything for about six hours, before your surgery. It is vital to follow the rules: stop taking medicines that rarefy your blood (like aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen) during two weeks before surgery, not to drink alcohol. If you have any illness like cold or fever, it may also influence the possibility of the surgery. To plan your procedure properly, your orthopaedic surgeon may arrange some tests like blood counts, electrocardiogram EKG or MRI.
3. Diagnostics
On the common basis, this procedure is indicated in patients who suffer from hip pain, but it cannot be localised on X-ray. Some people go months or years without a specific diagnosis. Problems like tears on the acetabular labrum sometimes do not show up on MRI scan or X-ray, and can only be diagnosed with examination and medical history. Before making a decision about hip arthroscopy, your doctor will probably make a former careful examination, checking if you had any recent injuries, where you feel pain and other symptoms, usually he will provide some extra tests like blood tests, X-Ray, Ultrasound or MRI scan.
4. Qualification for the procedure
Arthroscopy is a diagnostic procedure itself, but several indications may directly indicate the need of submitting the surgery if other treatment methods such as rest, physiotherapy, injections and medicines are not leading to relief. Most common reasons for hip arthroscopy are to remove loose pieces of cartilage or bone, repair a torn labrum or to cure hip impingement syndrome.