Hip Arthroscopy Surgery Guide

What Is Hip Arthroscopy?

Hip arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure where the surgeon inserts a small camera (arthroscope) and specialized instruments through two to three small incisions (portals) around the hip joint. The hip is placed under traction to create space for the camera. This allows the surgeon to visualize and treat conditions inside the joint without the large incision required for open surgery. Over 70,000 hip arthroscopies are performed annually in the US, and the number has grown rapidly as techniques and instrumentation have improved.

Conditions Treated by Hip Arthroscopy

• Labral tears — the most common reason for hip arthroscopy
• Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) — reshaping cam or pincer bone spurs
• Loose bodies (cartilage or bone fragments floating in the joint)
• Snapping hip syndrome (iliopsoas tendon release)
• Hip cartilage damage (chondral defects)
• Synovitis (inflamed joint lining)
• Ligamentum teres tears
• Early-stage hip arthritis (in select patients)

Hip arthroscopy is both diagnostic and therapeutic — the surgeon can identify problems and fix them during the same procedure.

Cost

Hip arthroscopy costs $8,000 to $25,000 before insurance. It is typically performed as an outpatient procedure (go home same day). Costs vary by what is treated — a simple labral debridement is less expensive than a complex labral repair with FAI correction.

Recovery

Recovery depends on what is treated during the procedure:

• Labral debridement only: 4-6 weeks, early weight bearing with crutches for 1-2 weeks
• Labral repair: 3-4 months, crutches for 2-4 weeks, restricted hip motion initially
• FAI bone reshaping + labral repair: 4-6 months, crutches for 2-6 weeks
• Return to sport: 4-6 months for most athletes

Physical therapy is critical — a dedicated hip arthroscopy rehab protocol improves outcomes significantly.

Frequently Asked Questions