Hip arthroscopy is keyhole surgery of the hip joint. Through small cuts, a camera and fine instruments are used to find and treat problems inside the hip without opening the joint.
It is used mainly for hip pain in younger and active adults whose hip does not have established arthritis, most often for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and tears of the labrum. It is not suitable for a hip with established arthritis.
At PMG Hospital, Gota, hip arthroscopy is performed. This page explains the conditions treated, symptoms, who may be suitable, the procedure, recovery, risks and cost factors.
What Is Hip Arthroscopy?
The hip is a deep ball-and-socket joint. In hip arthroscopy, the leg is pulled with controlled force (traction) for a limited time to create a small space inside the joint. A thin camera is passed into the hip through a small cut, and fine instruments are passed through one or more other small cuts to repair or remove damaged tissue and, when needed, to reshape bone.
Related pages: Arthroscopy·Hip replacement
Conditions Treated with Hip Arthroscopy
| Condition | What it is |
|---|---|
| Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) | Extra bone on the ball (cam type) or on the rim of the socket (pincer type), or both, which pinches the joint during movement |
| Labral tear | A tear of the labrum, the rim of cartilage around the socket that helps to seal the joint |
| Loose fragments | Pieces of cartilage or bone inside the joint that catch and cause pain |
| Cartilage damage | Selected areas of early cartilage damage |
| Inflammation of the joint lining (synovitis) | Selected cases |
| Snapping hip | Selected cases in which a tendon snaps over the hip and does not settle with physiotherapy |
Symptoms of a Hip Joint Problem
- Deep pain in the groin or hip, often worse with sitting, squatting, twisting or sport
- Clicking, catching or locking in the hip
- Stiffness or reduced movement of the hip
- Pain that does not settle with rest, physiotherapy and changes to activities
Groin pain can also come from the spine, the abdomen, hernias and the tendons around the hip, so a careful assessment is needed.
Assessment Before Surgery
A hip arthroscopy doctor in Ahmedabad - an orthopaedic surgeon - assesses the hip before advising surgery:
- 1History and examination: pain, movement and special tests of the hip, and examination of the spine and abdomen
- 2X-rays: special views of the hip to show the shape of the bones and any arthritis
- 3MRI: sometimes with contrast injected into the joint (MR arthrogram), to show the labrum and cartilage
- 4CT scan: in selected cases, to show the shape of the bones in three dimensions and plan any reshaping of bone
- 5Diagnostic injection: in some cases, a local anaesthetic injection into the hip helps to confirm that the pain comes from inside the joint
Is Hip Arthroscopy Suitable?
| Usually suitable | Usually not suitable |
|---|---|
| Younger and active adults | Established hip arthritis |
| A hip without established arthritis | "Bone-on-bone" changes or widespread cartilage damage |
| A specific problem such as FAI or a labral tear | Pain that comes mainly from outside the hip joint |
| Pain despite physiotherapy and changes to activities | Some cases of hip dysplasia (a shallow socket), which may need a different operation |
In a hip with established arthritis, hip arthroscopy usually gives poor results, and many patients need a hip replacement soon afterwards.
Treatment Before Surgery
Many hip problems improve with physiotherapy to strengthen the muscles around the hip and improve movement control, changes to activities, pain-relief medicines used as advised by a doctor and, in some cases, an injection. A hip arthroscopy treatment hospital in Ahmedabad should provide these non-surgical treatments as well as surgery.
Hip Arthroscopy Surgery in Ahmedabad: Step by Step
The main steps are similar in any hip arthroscopy surgery hospital in Ahmedabad:
- 1Anaesthesia: usually general anaesthesia, sometimes with a nerve block; spinal anaesthesia is an alternative in some patients
- 2Traction: the patient lies on a special table, and the leg is pulled with controlled force for a limited time to open a small space in the joint, with X-ray guidance
- 3Arthroscopy: a camera and instruments are passed into the hip through two or more small cuts
- 4Treatment: a torn labrum is repaired with small anchors or trimmed, extra bone is reshaped, and loose or damaged tissue is removed
- 5Closure: the cuts are closed and dressed; most patients go home the same day or the next day
Recovery After Hip Arthroscopy
| Time | What usually happens |
|---|---|
| Same day or next day | Going home; crutches to protect the hip |
| First weeks | Crutches with limited weight on the leg, usually for a few weeks; physiotherapy for movement and muscle activation |
| Weeks 6–12 | Progressive strengthening and movement control |
| About 3–6 months | Graded return to sport, sometimes longer |
This is a general guide. Recovery depends on what was done inside the joint. Bone that has been reshaped needs protection for some weeks, and the physiotherapy plan is followed step by step.
Risks and Possible Complications
Hip arthroscopy is a specialised operation, and no surgery is without risk. The surgeon explains these risks before taking consent.
- Nerve problems from traction or the cuts, such as numbness of the outer thigh, groin or genital area or, rarely, weakness of the leg or foot; these usually recover
- Infection, which is uncommon
- Blood clots in the leg veins or lungs
- Extra bone formation in the muscles around the hip (heterotopic ossification)
- Continuing pain or stiffness
- Remaining impingement or other untreated problems, which may need further surgery
- Fracture of the thigh bone after reshaping of bone, or instability of the hip, which are rare
- Progression of arthritis, especially when early arthritis is already present, which sometimes results in hip replacement
- Anaesthesia-related and general medical risks
Hip Arthroscopy Hospital in Ahmedabad
When choosing a hip arthroscopy hospital in Ahmedabad, check that the treating surgeon is a qualified orthopaedic surgeon with valid medical council registration, that the hospital regularly performs this operation, how infection is prevented, which implants and tests are available, what physiotherapy and follow-up are provided, and what the written estimate includes.
Look beyond general phrases such as "a hip arthroscopy hospital with modern facilities" and ask which facilities are actually available on site.
Hip Arthroscopy Surgery Cost in Ahmedabad
- The procedures done inside the joint, such as labral repair or reshaping of bone
- Anchors and implants used
- The type of anaesthesia
- Length of hospital stay and room category
- Physiotherapy and follow-up
A written, itemised estimate can be requested from the hospital after assessment.
Insurance
- Medically necessary hip arthroscopy is generally covered under health insurance policies, subject to policy terms, waiting periods and insurer approval
- Some policies have limits on room rent or implant costs; check these with your insurer before surgery
- Ask the hospital whether cashless treatment is available with your insurer, and which documents are needed
Hip Arthroscopy Doctor in Ahmedabad
Hip arthroscopy is advised and performed by an orthopaedic surgeon with training in hip arthroscopy. Because groin and hip pain have many possible causes, other doctors may be involved before and after surgery:
| Doctor or therapist | Role in hip arthroscopy care |
|---|---|
| Family physician | First assessment of hip or groin pain; refers to an orthopaedic surgeon when a problem inside the hip is suspected |
| Orthopaedic surgeon | Examines the hip, confirms whether the pain comes from inside the joint, decides whether arthroscopy is suitable and performs it |
| Radiologist | Performs and reports X-rays, MRI or MR arthrogram and CT scans, and may give a diagnostic injection into the hip |
| Physiotherapist | Guides treatment before surgery and the step-by-step rehabilitation afterwards |
| Anaesthetist | Checks fitness for surgery and gives the anaesthesia |
| Other doctors, such as a general surgeon or a spine surgeon | Consulted when the pain may come from a hernia, the abdomen or the spine |
Hip Arthroscopy Surgery Doctor in Ahmedabad
Before agreeing to an operation, it is reasonable to ask your hip arthroscopy surgery doctor in Ahmedabad a few clear questions. The answers help you understand the plan and give informed consent.
- What exactly is causing my pain, and which test or scan showed it?
- Is there any arthritis in my hip, and how does it affect the expected benefit?
- Will the labrum be repaired or trimmed, and will any bone be reshaped?
- Is more physiotherapy or an injection worth trying before surgery?
- How long will I need crutches, and how much weight can I put on the leg?
- When can I return to work, driving and my sport?
- What are the main risks in my case, including numbness from traction?
- What does the estimate include, and is the surgery covered by my insurance policy?
Hip Arthroscopy Treatment Hospital in Ahmedabad
Hip arthroscopy needs special equipment in the operation theatre and a structured physiotherapy programme afterwards. These are the facilities that matter most:
| Facility | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Traction table and X-ray imaging during surgery | Opens a small space in the deep hip joint and guides the instruments safely |
| Arthroscopy equipment, anchors and fine instruments | Needed to repair the labrum and reshape bone |
| Access to MRI and CT scans | Show the labrum, cartilage and the shape of the bones before surgery |
| Anaesthesia services | Needed for safe general or spinal anaesthesia and pain relief |
| Physiotherapy | Treatment before surgery and step-by-step rehabilitation for several months afterwards |
| Infection-control practices | Reduce the risk of infection in the joint |
The facilities available at PMG Hospital are listed further below on this page.
Treating Surgeon
At PMG Hospital, hip arthroscopy is performed by:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Dr. Hiren Patel |
| Qualification | MS (Ortho), B.J. Medical College, Ahmedabad |
| Specialty | Orthopaedics |
| Designation | Director & Head Joint Replacement Surgeon, PMG Hospital |
| Registration status | Registered Medical Practitioner |
| Registration number | Gujarat Medical Council Reg. No. G-20583 |
| OPD availability | Monday to Saturday, 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
Facilities at PMG Hospital
- Orthopaedic OPD, Monday to Saturday
- Emergency and trauma care, 24×7
- Orthopaedic physiotherapy centre
Frequently Asked Questions
What is hip arthroscopy?
Hip arthroscopy is keyhole surgery of the hip joint. Through small cuts, a camera and fine instruments are used to find and treat problems inside the hip without opening the joint. It is used mainly for hip pain in younger and active adults whose hip does not have established arthritis.
What conditions does hip arthroscopy treat?
It is used mainly for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), in which extra bone on the ball or the rim of the socket pinches the joint, and for tears of the labrum (the rim of cartilage around the socket). It is also used for loose fragments and for selected cases of cartilage damage, inflammation of the joint lining and snapping hip.
When should I see a doctor about hip pain?
See an orthopaedic surgeon if you have deep groin or hip pain that is worse with sitting, squatting, twisting or sport, comes with clicking, catching or stiffness, and does not settle with rest, physiotherapy and changes to activities. Hip pain with fever, or inability to bear weight, needs urgent assessment, and sudden severe hip pain with inability to stand after a fall needs emergency care.
Who may be suitable for hip arthroscopy?
It is usually considered for younger, active adults with a specific problem such as FAI or a labral tear, a hip without established arthritis, and pain that continues despite physiotherapy and changes to activities. It is not suitable for a hip with established arthritis.
Can hip arthroscopy delay hip replacement?
In selected patients with a hip that does not have established arthritis, treating FAI or a labral tear can relieve pain and improve function. Whether it delays or prevents arthritis or hip replacement in the long term is still being studied. It cannot reverse established arthritis.
Is hip arthroscopy suitable if I already have arthritis?
Generally, no. In a hip with established arthritis, hip arthroscopy usually gives poor results, and many patients need a hip replacement soon afterwards. Other treatments or, later, hip replacement are usually more suitable.
How long does recovery take after hip arthroscopy?
Most patients go home the same day or the next day. Crutches are usually needed for a few weeks, and physiotherapy starts early. A graded return to sport usually takes about three to six months, and sometimes longer.
What facilities should a hospital have for hip arthroscopy?
It should have an operation theatre suitable for hip arthroscopy with strict infection-control practices, a traction table, arthroscopy equipment and X-ray imaging during surgery, the anchors and instruments needed, anaesthesia services, access to MRI and CT, and a physiotherapy service.
What decides the cost of hip arthroscopy?
The cost depends on the procedures done inside the joint, such as labral repair or reshaping of bone, the anchors and implants used, the type of anaesthesia, the length of hospital stay, room category and physiotherapy. A written, itemised estimate can be requested from the hospital after assessment.
Contact and Location
PMG Hospital
3rd Floor, Athena Avenue, B/H Jaguar Showroom, Nr. Eulogia Inn Hotel, Gota, Ahmedabad, India
- Phone / WhatsApp:
- +91 96627 70141
- OPD:
- Mon – Sat · 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Emergency and trauma care:
- 24×7