Expert Hip Arthroscopy for Hip Pain & Sports Injuries
Persistent hip pain, stiffness, clicking, or limited mobility can interfere with your ability to stay active and enjoy everyday life. When non-surgical treatments fail to provide relief, hip arthroscopy may offer a minimally invasive solution to diagnose and treat a variety of hip conditions while preserving the natural joint.
Dr. Richard Judd Robins, a dual board-certified orthopaedic surgeon with subspecialty certification in Orthopaedic Sports Medicine, specializes in advanced hip arthroscopy for patients throughout Salt Lake City, Park City, Farmington, South Jordan, and surrounding Utah communities. Using state-of-the-art arthroscopic techniques, Dr. Robins treats hip injuries and joint disorders with the goal of reducing pain, improving mobility, and helping patients return to active lifestyles.
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What is Hip Arthroscopy?
Hip arthroscopy, also referred to as keyhole or minimally invasive surgery, is a surgical procedure in which an arthroscope is inserted into your hip joint to check for any damage and repair it simultaneously.
An arthroscope is a small, fiber-optic instrument consisting of a lens, light source, and video camera. The camera projects images of the inside of the joint onto a large monitor, allowing your surgeon to look for any damage, assess the type of injury and repair the problem.
What are the Indications for Hip Arthroscopy?
Hip arthroscopy is a surgical procedure performed through very small incisions to diagnose and treat various hip conditions, including:
- Evaluation and diagnosis of conditions with unexplained pain, swelling, or stiffness in the hip that does not respond to conservative treatment
- Removal of torn cartilage or bone chips that cause hip pain and immobility
- Repair of a torn labrum (fibrous cartilage ring that lines the acetabular socket)
- Removal of bone spurs or extra bone growths caused by arthritis or an injury
- Removal of a part of the inflamed synovium (lining of the joint) if you have inflammatory arthritis (partial synovectomy)
- Repair of fractures or torn ligaments caused by trauma
How is Hip Arthroscopy Performed?
Hip arthroscopy is performed under regional or general anesthesia depending on you and your surgeon’s preference. Your surgeon will make 2 or 3 small incisions about 1/4 inch in length around the hip joint. Through one of the incisions an arthroscope is inserted. Along with it, a sterile solution is pumped into the joint to expand the joint area and create room for the surgeon to work.
The larger image on the television monitor allows your surgeon to visualize the joint directly and determine the extent of damage so that it can be surgically treated. Surgical instruments will be inserted through other tiny incisions to treat the problem. After the surgery, the incisions are closed and covered with a bandage.
What are the Advantages of Hip Arthroscopy?
The advantages of hip arthroscopy over the traditional open hip surgery include:
- Smaller incisions
- Minimal trauma to surrounding ligaments, muscles and tissues
- Less pain
- Faster recovery
- Lower infection rate
- Less scarring
- Early mobilization
- Shorter hospital stay
What Does Postoperative Care for Hip Arthroscopy Involve?
Your surgeon may advise you to take certain precautions to promote faster recovery and prevent further complications. These include:
- Taking pain medications as prescribed
- Use of crutches to prevent or limit bearing weight on the operated hip
- Physical therapy exercises performed regularly to restore the normal hip function and improve flexibility and strength
- Eating a healthy diet and avoiding smoking, which will help in faster healing and recovery
- Avoiding activities that involve lifting heavy objects or performing strenuous exercises for the first few weeks after surgery
What are the Risks and Complications of Hip Arthroscopy?
As with any surgery, there are potential risks and complications involved. It is very important that you are informed of these risks before you decide to proceed with hip arthroscopy surgery. The possible risks and complications may include:
- Infection at the surgical incision site or in the joint space
- Nerve damage, which may cause numbness, tingling, pain, and weakness
- Excess bleeding into the joint (hemarthrosis)
- Blood clots may form inside the deep veins of the legs, which can travel to the lungs (pulmonary embolism)
Richard Judd Robins
MD, FAAOS, FAANA Dual Board Certified in Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine
Dr. Robins brings more than 26 years of experience in military service, orthopaedic surgery, sports medicine, clinical care, and academic leadership. Throughout his distinguished career, he has dedicated himself to caring for active-duty military personnel, athletes, and patients with complex orthopaedic injuries while advancing education, research, and mentorship in orthopaedic sports medicine.
Why Choose Dr. Richard Judd Robins for Hip Arthroscopy?
Choosing an experienced sports medicine surgeon is essential when considering hip arthroscopy. Accurate diagnosis, advanced surgical techniques, and a personalized recovery plan can significantly impact your outcome.
Dr. Robins offers:
- Dual board certification in Orthopaedic Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
- Fellowship training in Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
- Extensive experience treating athletes, military personnel, and active adults
- Advanced expertise in minimally invasive hip arthroscopy procedures
- Comprehensive treatment for labral tears, cartilage injuries, bone impingement, and other hip conditions
- Personalized treatment plans tailored to your symptoms, lifestyle, and goals
- Comprehensive care from diagnosis through rehabilitation and recovery
Whether your hip pain is caused by a sports injury, repetitive motion, or a structural hip condition, Dr. Robins is committed to helping you restore function and return to the activities you enjoy.
Hip Arthroscopy FAQs
What is hip arthroscopy?
Hip arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that uses a small camera and specialized instruments inserted through tiny incisions to diagnose and treat problems inside the hip joint.
What conditions can be treated with hip arthroscopy?
Hip arthroscopy can be used to treat labral tears, cartilage damage, bone spurs, femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), loose bodies, inflamed joint tissue, and certain traumatic injuries affecting the hip.
Is hip arthroscopy an outpatient procedure?
Yes. Most hip arthroscopy procedures are performed on an outpatient basis, allowing patients to return home the same day as surgery.
How long does recovery take after hip arthroscopy?
Recovery varies depending on the condition being treated and the specific procedure performed. Many patients return to normal activities within several weeks, while athletic activities may require a longer rehabilitation period.
Will I need physical therapy after hip arthroscopy?
Yes. Physical therapy is an important part of recovery and helps restore hip strength, flexibility, stability, and range of motion while supporting a safe return to activity.
What are the benefits of hip arthroscopy?
Benefits may include smaller incisions, less postoperative pain, reduced soft tissue trauma, lower infection risk, shorter recovery times, and improved hip function compared to traditional open surgery.
Schedule a Hip Arthroscopy Consultation in Salt Lake City, UT
If hip pain, stiffness, or limited mobility is preventing you from living an active lifestyle, expert evaluation can help identify the cause and determine the best treatment approach. Dr. Richard Judd Robins provides advanced hip arthroscopy and comprehensive sports medicine care for patients throughout Salt Lake City, Park City, Farmington, South Jordan, and surrounding Utah communities.
Schedule your consultation today to learn more about your treatment options and discover whether hip arthroscopy can help relieve pain, restore mobility, and get you back to the sports, work, and activities you enjoy.
