Arthroscopy is a way to find problems and do surgery inside a joint without making a large cut (incision). Your doctor puts a lighted tube with a tiny camera and surgical tools through small incisions in the side of your hip. The camera is called an arthroscope, or scope.
In this surgery, your doctor may:
Most people go home on the day of the surgery.
If you have a simple injury, it may take at least 6 weeks to recover. It may take longer if your doctor had to repair damaged tissue or remove bone spurs.
If you have a desk job, you may be able to go back to work a few days after treatment of a simple injury. If you do physical labor, it may be as long as 2 months before you can go back to work.
You will need to limit activity while your hip heals. You may need crutches or a walker for the first few days, if not weeks. You may need to have physical therapy (rehab) to help your hip get stronger.
After surgery and rehab, you should have less pain. Your hip should be stronger. You should be able to use your hip and leg better. Some people have to avoid lifting heavy objects. Talk to your doctor if you plan to start doing activities such as running.
Surgery can be stressful. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for surgery.
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Arthroscopy is a way to find problems and do surgery inside a joint without making a large cut (incision). Your doctor put a lighted tube with a tiny camera—called an arthroscope, or scope—and surgical tools through small incisions on the side of your hip.
You will feel tired for several days. Your hip will be swollen. And you may notice that your skin is a different color near the incisions. The swelling is normal. It will start to go away in a few days.
You will probably need about 6 weeks to recover. If your doctor repaired damaged tissue, recovery will take longer. You may have to limit your activity until your hip strength and movement are back to normal. You may also be in a physical rehabilitation (rehab) program.
You may be able to return to a desk job or your normal routine in a few days. But if you do physical labor, it may be as long as 2 months before you can go back to work.
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