Hip Arthroscopy in Singapore: Benefits, Risks & Recovery

Active people between 20 and 40 years old are the usual candidates for hip arthroscopy because they are usually the ones who suffer from labral tears. Athletes whose sport involves a lot of running, sliding or twisting may benefit from this procedure, as do those who suffer Femoral Acetabular Impingement (FAI), or reduced clearance between the tip of the thighbone and the rim of the labrum.

People who feel pain in front of their hip (usually in the groin) while feeling that the hip is locking or catching, might have a labral tear and may therefore need a hip arthroscopy procedure. Those who suffer from having an abnormal ball or cam lesion, abnormal socket or pincer lesion, bone cysts or tears in the Ligamentum Teres may also be treated via hip arthroscopy, as well as those with articular cartilage damage.

Other conditions that may be addressed by hip arthroscopy include Psoas Tendinopathy or inflamed tendon, Abductor Tendinopathy, Trochanteric Bursitis or inflamed bursa, and Synovitis or inflammation of the tissue around the hip. The procedure may also be able to help people suffering from Hip or Femoroacetabular Impingement, which may cause Osteoarthritis and reduces their range of motion.

Overall, people whose hip pain can be traced to a specific area within the hip may benefit from hip arthroscopy. However, if a lot of cartilage has already been lost as in the case of arthritis, Hip Replacement might be recommended, instead.

The patient will be laid out on a hip traction table for the procedure to allow easy access to the hip. Many of these procedures are carried out under regional instead of general anaesthesia, which helps to reduce risk and shortens the period before a patient can go home afterwards.

During arthroscopy, the arthroscope transmits images of the inside of the hip to a TV, which the surgeon keeps his eyes on during the procedure. The procedure is minimally invasive because it just requires two or three small incisions about 5 to 10mm long to insert the arthroscope and other tiny instruments into the hip, instead of making bigger incisions to expose the hip entirely.

Any surgery involving bones, muscles or tendons pose a risk for re-injury or injury to another part in the surrounding area. Infection, bleeding and loss of function are also possible with this procedure. There is also a chance that there will be damage to the nerves and blood vessels in the legs and hip. Rejection of the bone graft is also possible with core decompression.

Cell therapy posed no risk since this is an autologous donor, which means that the cells are the patient’s own. This prevents the possibility of allergic reactions or rejection. The procedure is also minimally invasive percutaneous injection and not a major surgery, hence there are lesser risks.

How much preparation will need to be done before the procedure depends on your medical condition, age and gender. You will have to give your medical history and have a physical examination. Tests include a blood count for females, blood tests and possibly an ECG. You will also discuss the kind of anaesthesia you prefer as well as the risks involved.

Make sure you don’t eat or drink anything after midnight right before the procedure.

It takes about three months to recover fully from hip arthroscopy, although your hip will continue to improve for about a year after the procedure. Recovering from a Hip Arthroscopy for Labral Tear can take about four to six months, which may seem a lot longer for athletes or active adults.

However, when patients follow through with the rehabilitation and exercise plan provided them, they do seem to recover faster. People are actually allowed to move around right after surgery.

You may need crutches in the beginning, but patients are usually able to walk without help within two weeks. You may even be able to get back to work if it involves low-impact activities around this time. In four weeks, you can go swimming, cycling or do other low-impact exercises.

Make sure you avoid high-impact activities especially during the early days of your recovery to reduce the risk of fracture.

If you feel any recurring pain in your hip or groin, contact your surgeon immediately.

Pain is your body’s way of telling you that something is not right. Don’t just brush it off and risk the chance of compromising your movement and interupting your daily activities. Get it checked today for the right intervention the soonest possible time. Book your appointment with Dr. Dutton, here.