Hip Arthroscopy

• Labral tears
• Removal of loose bodies
• Biopsy of lesions
• Synovectomy
• Diagnosis of pain
• Infection

Contraindications

• Advanced arthritis
• Stiff hip
• Heterotopic ossification
• Severe dysplasia

Pre-Op Instructions

• Cease aspirin and anti-inflammatory medications (e.g. voltaren, feldene) 10 days prior to surgery as they can cause bleeding.
• Cease any naturopathic medications as they can also cause bleeding.
• Continue with all other medications unless otherwise specified.
• Notify me if you have any abrasions or pimples around the hip.
• Please bring any x-rays, MRI scans or other investigations you have had done which may be relevant to your surgery.
• Bring a list of medications with you to give to the anaesthetist.
• You are advised to stop smoking for as long as possible prior to surgery.

Procedure

• Under anaesthetic you are positioned on a special operating table with your legs strapped into boots to allow traction to be placed on the hip. X-ray control is then used to mark out the landmarks used for surgery.
• Specially made instruments are inserted into the hip joint. Two or three small incisions 1 –2 centimeters long are made in the skin during the procedure.
• The first incision is used to insert a camera which displays the inside of the hip on a television monitor and the other incisions are to insert instruments for treatment of the problem.
• Following the procedure local anaesthetic is injected into the hip and wound and the wounds are stitched closed.
• You will usually be in hospital overnight for antibiotics and pain relief.
• Crutches are generally used for a week or so depending on what you have had done.

Post-Op

• Your dressing will be reduced prior to your discharge.
• You will go home the same day or stay one night.
• A physiotherapist will see you before you are discharged and show you how to use crutches. Crutches are generally used for a few days.
• You will be given an appointment to be seen in the rooms in approximately 7 –10 days after the surgery to check the wound and discuss the findings of the operation and any follow up care that may be needed.
• You should be able to drive after one or two weeks depending on your recovery.
• Time off work depends on your occupation usually one to four weeks.

Any operation big or small has risks. The following can occur with any surgery and some rarer complications may also be possible. It is impossible to discuss every complication and there will be some, which no surgeon may anticipate or may never have heard of.

The utmost care is taken at all times during surgery to prevent these complications. At Orthosports we are all subspecialised and operate within our defined area of expertise. We believe this minimises the risk of complications.

The following list is not exhaustive and some are explained in more detail in the various sections to which they may be more appropriate.

Surgical Complications

All of these complications are rare but you need to be aware of them prior to your surgery.

Infection

Infection is rare and can be superficial (skin) or deep (in the hip). If you have any redness around the wound or if you have any temperatures or are feeling unwell you need to contact me as soon as possible. If infection occurs you may require antibiotics either as an outpatient or in hospital. If the infection is deep you may require the hip to be washed out.

Nerve Damage

There are a number of nerves surrounding the hip joint supplying sensation and muscles in the leg. There can be damage to superficial nerves, which can result in temporary or rarely permanent loss of sensation in the groin, thigh, scrotal or labial region.

This can be a result of pressure during the procedure or damage with the insertion of instruments. There can be damage to nerves supplying the muscles of the leg resulting in weakness. This is however very rare.

Vascular Injury

This can result in excess bleeding. Bleeding into the joint or soft tissue may require drainage.

Failure to Relieve Pain

Failure to relieve pain is not common but unfortunately some operations may not be entirely successful in relieving pain.

Allergic Reactions

Allergic reactions to medications or materials used in the operating room.

Thromboembolic Problems

These refer to blood clot formation in the blood vessels of the legs. They usually occur in the leg veins where they are known as deep venous thrombosis (DVT). They cause pain and swelling in the leg due to restriction of blood flow back to the heart. These may require blood thinning medication in the form of injections or tablets.

Occasionally these clots can travel to the lung causing what is called a pulmonary embolus. This can require hospitalisation and can be life threatening. If you get increasing calf pain or shortness of breath you should notify your doctor straight away.

The chance of this complication is higher in bigger operations such as Joint Replacement but may occur with the most minor of procedures, in fact they can occur without surgery at all.

They are more common in smokers, people with obesity and those on the contraceptive pill. Long airplane flights can also cause DVT and flying should be avoided for 2 weeks following surgery. Clots in the arterial system can cause strokes.

Wound Breakdown

This occurs when small areas of the wound may not heal and may need to be resutured. This can sometimes result from reaction to the sutures just under the skin.

Instrument Breakage

Unsightly or Thickened Scar

Joint Stiffness
Joint stiffness can occur no matter what the procedure, this is minimised and treated with physiotherapy.

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy

This is an unexplained condition where nerves become hyperactive and the limb painful. This may occur following minor trauma or surgery. This usually but not always resolves over time but may require referral to a specialised pain clinic.

Pressure

Pressure on areas of the body in the operating theatre causing nerve damage.

Diathermy Burns

Diathermy Burns from cautery device used in most open operations (very rare).

Limp

Limp can occur from muscle weakness.

Other Medical Complications

Any other medical complication you have heard about can occur especially if you already have a pre-existing medical problem. Such complications include heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, pneumonia, bowel obstruction, bladder infection or obstruction etc. Serious medical problems can lead to ongoing health concerns, prolonged hospitalisation or rarely death.

Conclusion

Hip arthroscopy is a procedure useful for relieving pain from a number of hip conditions. It is a relatively small procedure performed through small skin incisions. The complication rate is low but prior to your procedure you must be aware of these risks. If you have any further questions please ask before surgery