Hip arthroscopy is usually a one day procedure. This means you should be able to return home the same day of your operation.

First, you’ll be given a general anaesthetic to send you to sleep. Your surgeon will then make one or two small cuts over your hip joint.

They’ll then pass a special, pencil-thin metal tube (arthroscope) through the cut. It features a light and digital camera.

The camera sends images from inside your hip joint to a computer screen. 

Your surgeon looks at these images to diagnose any problems and decide what type of surgery you may need.  

If they decide you do need surgery, they’ll insert tiny surgical tools through other small cuts around your hip to perform the surgery you need.

After your arthroscopy surgery is completed, your wounds are closed up with stitches (sutures) or special tape. 

Overall, your hip arthroscopy surgery should take about one hour, but this will depend on how complex your operation is.

Compared to open hip surgery, the benefits of hip arthroscopy surgery are:

• Very little trauma to your hip joint, reducing pain and scarring
• It’s done as a day patient procedure, which means you can return home the same day
• Shorter recovery time
• Monitoring and treating your hip with arthroscopy may delay hip arthritis progressing
• Using arthroscopy to prevent the development of conditions that cause osteoarthritis may delay the need for a hip replacement 

Your recovery time from arthroscopic surgery will depend on how complex your operation is, your age and your overall health before surgery.

Generally, you’ll need to use crutches for two to four weeks following your operation. 

If you have a job that’s not particularly active, such as a desk job in an office, you should be able to return to work one to two weeks after your operation.

But if you have a physically demanding job, you may need to wait up to six months before returning to work.

Overall, you’ll probably experience discomfort from your hip for two to four months. 

It may take six to nine months before your hip completely recovers.

At The London Clinic, we can help you make a successful and speedy recovery, and make your return to full health an enjoyable experience.

We have a specialist team of rehabilitation professionals who can develop personalised physiotherapy programmes around your needs and abilities.

You’ll also have access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment.

This includes our anti-gravity treadmill for low-impact movement and purpose-built hydrotherapy pool.

Our world-leading surgeons and nurse specialists will work closely together to reduce side effects of treatment and support your safe recovery. 

However, there are risks with any procedure, including hip arthroscopy. 

Rarely, problems caused by a hip arthroscopy include:

• A blood clot, such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) 
• Bleeding inside the joint causing pain and swelling
• Infection in the hip joint, also called septic arthritis
• Accidental nerve damage that may lead to numbness or loss of sensation near the joint
• An allergic reaction to the anaesthetic used