What is hip arthroscopy?
Hip arthroscopy is keyhole surgery: a thin camera and special instruments are introduced into the hip joint through a few small incisions. The inside of the joint is magnified on a screen, so a torn labrum can be repaired, bony bumps that cause impingement can be reshaped and damaged cartilage can be treated.
The goal is not only pain relief but preserving the joint — slowing the path towards arthritis as much as possible. That is why it is mostly chosen for young and active patients before advanced arthritis has developed.
When is it used?
- Hip impingement (FAI)
- Labral tears
- Loose bodies and limited cartilage damage inside the joint
- Some tendon problems and impingement around the hip
In advanced arthritis the benefit of arthroscopy is limited; robotic hip replacement is then considered among the options.
Roles in hip preservation: Prof. Gürsoy is a board member of ESSKA's European Hip Preservation Associates (EHPA), General Secretary of the Turkish Society of Preventive Hip Surgery and a member of the European Hip Society's Emerging Leaders Committee.
How is the decision made?
The examination looks at when and with which movements the pain starts. X-rays show the bone shape; MRI shows the labrum and cartilage. Many patients first try physiotherapy, activity changes and, where appropriate, injections. Surgery is discussed if symptoms persist.
Surgery and recovery
The operation is done under general or regional anaesthesia. Most patients stand up with crutches the day after surgery. How long crutches are needed and the pace of physiotherapy are planned individually, depending on whether the labrum was repaired or bone was reshaped.
Return to sport is staged: range of motion first, then strength, then sport-specific movements. The timing is based on strength and function tests rather than the calendar.
Travelling from abroad? Your rehabilitation plan can be continued with a physiotherapist at home; the timing of your flight home is agreed with the team.
Common questions
Does hip arthroscopy leave scars?
The incisions are usually under a few centimetres and fade over time.
Is all groin pain coming from the hip?
No. Groin pain can come from a hernia, a muscle injury or the lower back, so a careful examination and imaging are important.
What happens if I do not have surgery?
It depends on the problem. Non-surgical treatment is enough for some patients; your options are discussed at the examination.