Hip
At the Seattle Orthopedic Center, SOC, you will find orthopedic specialists with a specific interest in hip preservation. Our surgeons can address your problem with the latest techniques of hip arthroscopy.
Arthroscopy, also referred to as keyhole or minimally invasive surgery, is a procedure in which an arthroscope is inserted into a joint to check for any damage and repair it simultaneously. Hip arthroscopic surgery can be used to treat a hip labral tear, femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), or routine and complex cases.
Hip Arthroscopy Labral Repair
A hip labral tear is an injury to the soft elastic tissue around the hip joint called the labrum, which helps to hold the ball of your femur in place.
The arthroscopic procedure is performed using a narrow tube with a camera, called an arthroscope. Small incisions are made over your hip to reach the damaged labrum. The arthroscope is inserted through one of the incisions to provide your doctor with a clear view of the damage. Miniature instruments are then inserted through the other incisions to repair the tear.
Depending on the extent and position of the tear, the labrum may be repaired with sutures (refixation) or the torn portion removed (debridement). In some cases, a labrum reconstruction is performed to build a new labrum with a graft.
FAI Hip Arthroscopy
Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a condition where there is too much friction in the hip joint from bony irregularities causing pain and decreased range of hip motion. The femoral head and acetabulum rub against each other creating damage and pain to the hip joint.
Conservative treatment options refer to management of the problem without surgery. Nonsurgical management of FAI will probably not change the underlying abnormal biomechanics of the hip causing the FAI but may offer pain relief and improved mobility.
Conservative treatment measures include:
- Rest
- Activity Modification and Limitations
- Anti-inflammatory Medications
- Physical Therapy
- Injection of Steroid into the Hip Joint
When conservative treatment measures fail to provide relief to the patient, surgical treatment such as hip arthroscopy to repair Femoroacetabular impingement is a choice.
Hip Replacement Surgery
Total hip replacement is a surgical procedure in which the damaged cartilage and bone is removed from the hip joint and replaced with artificial components. The hip joint is one of the body’s largest weight-bearing joints, located between the thigh bone (femur) and the pelvis (acetabulum). It is a ball and socket joint in which the head of the femur is the ball and the pelvic acetabulum forms the socket. The joint surface is covered by a smooth articular cartilage which acts as a cushion and enables smooth movements of the joint.
A number of diseases and conditions can cause damage to the articular cartilage. Total hip replacement surgery is an option to relieve severe arthritis pain that limits your daily activities.
The SOC offers outpatient total joint replacement surgery as an option for certain candidates.
