Hip Arthroscopy

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UT Southwestern Medical Center is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation's top hospitals for orthopedic care.

Hip arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgery used to diagnose and treat certain hip conditions, such as hip impingement, labral tears, and arthritis. Key advantages of this approach include reduced tissue damage and faster recovery compared with traditional hip surgery. Patients also typically go home the same day.

UT Southwestern Medical Center’s orthopedic and sports medicine experts are highly experienced in performing hip arthroscopic procedures as part of our comprehensive care for hip conditions.

We are committed to providing personalized care and focusing on a patient’s overall health. We only recommend surgery when absolutely necessary. Our specialists are committed to helping relieve hip pain, restoring hip range of motion for patients (including professional athletes), and, in some cases, making the hip feel better than it has in years.

Provider pointing to hip joint on a skeleton

What Is Hip Arthroscopy?

Hip arthroscopy uses a thin camera (arthroscope) and specialized instruments inserted through small incisions around the hip. The camera sends images to a monitor, allowing the surgeon to see the joint and treat damage to cartilage, bone, or soft tissue.

This procedure is commonly performed when nonsurgical treatments such as rest, physical therapy, or medication have not relieved symptoms.

How Does Hip Arthroscopy Differ from a Hip Replacement?

Hip arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgery that can treat hip pain before problems advance to the stage where a hip replacement is needed. A hip replacement is major surgery that replaces deteriorated cartilage or bone with an artificial joint (implant).

Why Choose UT Southwestern for Hip Arthroscopy?

UT Southwestern’s orthopedic and sports medicine specialists offer expertise in minimally invasive hip surgery. We use evidence-based techniques and advanced imaging to support accurate diagnoses, effective treatments, and coordinated recovery plans.

We use the latest in arthroscopic hip approaches to help provide patients with the best results. Advanced 3D scans allow us to personalize each hip arthroscopy, resulting in fewer revision surgeries. We also use a technique, known as postless hip arthroscopy, that lowers the chance of complications.

Our patients receive nonopioid pain relief after hip arthroscopy to effectively manage pain while lowering the risk of side effects linked to opioids.

In addition, patients at UT Southwestern benefit from:

Personalized care plans that emphasize nonsurgical treatment, with surgery considered only when appropriate
Access to the latest nonsurgical and surgical treatments
Fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons and sports medicine specialists with advanced expertise in treating the full spectrum of hip conditions
Specialists with experience serving as team doctors for professional sports teams and elite athletes, with the advanced skills needed to maximize patient care and recovery
Care within a leading academic medical center recognized for orthopedic expertise and innovation

What Are the Benefits of Hip Arthroscopy?

Hip arthroscopy offers the following potential benefits:

May reduce the need for hip replacement surgery by treating a condition or injury before it advances
Smaller incisions and less scarring
Reduced pain after surgery
Lower risk of damage to surrounding muscles and tissues
Often performed as outpatient surgery
Shorter hospital stays, if required
Faster return to daily activities for many patients

Outcomes depend on the specific condition treated and overall joint health.

What Conditions Does Hip Arthroscopy Treat?

Hip arthroscopy can be used to diagnose and treat several hip conditions. Patients who are involved in sports that involve high-impact running, jumping, or cutting – such as football, soccer, gymnastics, and dance – often develop conditions that may need hip arthroscopy.

Common conditions include:

Hip impingement, or femoroacetabular impingement (FAI): an abnormal hip bone shape that causes joint friction
Hip labral tears: damage to the ring of cartilage that lines the hip socket
Cartilage damage: wear or injury to the smooth joint surface
Loose bodies: small fragments of bone or cartilage inside the joint
Dysplasia: where the femur doesn’t fit properly with the pelvis
Hip joint inflammation (synovitis)
Certain tendon or ligament injuries around the hip

What Should Patients Expect Before Hip Arthroscopy?

Before hip arthroscopy, our care team completes a full evaluation of each patient. Preparation may include:

A physical exam and review of symptoms
Imaging tests such as X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Advanced 3D computed tomography (CT) scans to more precisely plan surgery
Review of current medications
Instructions about eating, drinking, and medication use before surgery
Planning for transportation home after the procedure

What Should Patients Expect During Hip Arthroscopy?

Hip arthroscopy is usually performed under general anesthesia, meaning the patient is fully asleep and does not feel pain during the procedure. Using advanced scans, we personalize each surgery based on the patient’s specific hip anatomy.

During the procedure:

Small incisions are made around the hip
The arthroscope is inserted to view the joint
Specialized tools are used to repair or remove damaged tissue
The incisions are closed with sutures or small bandages

The procedure length varies based on the condition being treated but typically takes about an hour and a half.

What Should Patients Expect After Hip Arthroscopy?

Recovery after hip arthroscopy depends on the specific problem treated and the type of repair performed. The care team will provide a personalized recovery plan.

In general:

Physical therapist helping patient lift leg

Most patients go home the same day.
Crutches may be needed for a short time to limit weight bearing.
Physical therapy is often recommended to restore strength and motion.
Swelling and soreness are common in the early recovery period.
Patients walk comfortably after four to six weeks.
Patients are back to sports and full activity after four to six months.

After a hip arthroscopy, our care team will help patients better understand what caused the problem and how they fixed it.

What Support Services for Hip Arthroscopy Does UT Southwestern Offer?

Support services may include:

Physical therapy and rehabilitation programs
Pain management
Education to aid recovery and long-term joint health

What Clinical Trials Are Available for Hip Pain Treatment and Hip Arthroscopy?

UT Southwestern participates in clinical research focused on improving treatment for certain hip conditions using arthroscopy. These studies evaluate new techniques, devices, or recovery approaches. Clinical trials may be available for eligible patients, depending on their diagnosis and treatment plan.

For example, UT Southwestern is involved in a study that compares nonopioid pain relief with traditional opioid options. Early results show no difference between the two, which makes nonopioid options a better choice for most patients, because they provide similar pain control with a lower risk of addiction and other serious side effects.

Ask our doctors about current studies or search for clinical trials.

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