Hip Arthroscopy, Sports Medicine, and Trauma
Hip arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure used to diagnose and treat a wide range of hip conditions such as labral tears, femoral acetabular impingement (FAI), and cartilage damage. Combined with sports medicine and trauma care, these treatments help address tendon injuries, fractures, and chronic conditions like iliotibial (IT) band syndrome and trochanteric bursitis to help patients get back on their feet and to their preferred activities. Dr. Seiter offers a variety of advanced techniques designed to restore hip function, alleviate pain, and support long-term recovery.
Treatment Options
Non-surgical treatment options for hip trauma and sports medicine may include:
- Assistive Devices (e.g., Crutches, Cane, Walker): Assistive devices are an essential part of many hip treatments as they provide stability and support during the recovery process. They help patients offload weight from the injured hip, preventing further damage and allowing proper healing.
- Rest and Activity Modification: Patients may be advised to adjust their activities or avoid activities that exacerbate hip pain to prevent further injury and allow healing.
- Physical Therapy: A physical therapist can help you with tailored exercises to restore strength, flexibility, and mobility while preventing future issues.
- Medications and Injections: Anti-inflammatory medications and/or corticosteroid injections can help to relieve inflammation, pain, and swelling, particularly for conditions like bursitis.
- Cold and Heat Therapy: Alternating ice packs and heat therapy can help provide relief. Ice packs can reduce inflammation and pain, while heat therapy can relax the muscles and improve blood flow to aid recovery.
In some cases, hip surgery may be necessary. Examples include:
- Labral Repair and Reconstruction: This procedure restores a torn labrum and stabilizes the hip joint, which helps restore joint integrity and reduces the risk of further deterioration.
- Femoral Acetabular Impingement (FAI) Treatment: FAI occurs when abnormal bone growth affects hip joint mechanics. This procedure removes the excess bone tissue to alleviate pain and improve mobility.
- Acetabuloplasty and Pincer Procedures: Acetabuloplasty corrects hip socket abnormalities associated with pincer-type FAI. The procedure removes excess bone to restore smooth joint movement and prevent cartilage damage.
- Femoroplasty and CAM Procedures: Commonly performed to address CAM-type FAI, femoroplasty reshapes the femoral head to eliminate impingement and improve joint function.
- Gluteus Medius and Minimus Tendon Repair and Augmentation: These procedures repair or reinforce weakened or torn tendons in the hip, in order to reduce pain and restore strength and stability.
- Cartilage Procedures: Various cartilage preservation techniques can be performed to restore joint cushioning, prevent further wear, and improve long-term joint health.
- Revision Hip Arthroscopy: For patients who have had previous hip arthroscopy with ongoing symptoms, revision surgery may be necessary to correct unresolved issues and enhance joint function.
- Greater Trochanteric Bursectomy: This procedure removes inflamed bursa around the greater trochanter, relieving pain and improving mobility in patients with chronic hip bursitis.
- Iliotibial (IT) Band Surgery: IT band syndrome is a condition in which the iliotibial band tendon becomes inflamed or irritated along the hip or knee. Surgery for IT band syndrome involves releasing or lengthening the iliotibial band to alleviate pain and reduce friction on the joint.
- Hamstring Repair: Hamstring tendon injuries can be surgically repaired to restore function, improve mobility, and prevent chronic pain.
- Hip and Femur Fracture Surgery: In the event of a hip or femur fracture, treatment may involve internal fixation or joint stabilization to ensure proper healing and restore hip function.
Candidates for Hip Arthroscopy and Sports Medicine Treatment
Patients experiencing the following symptoms may benefit from these treatments:
- Persistent hip pain or stiffness
- Limited range of motion
- Pain that worsens with movement or activity
- A sensation of catching, locking, or grinding in the hip joint
- Hip instability
- Difficulty bearing weight on the hip
Dr. Seiter will conduct a thorough evaluation with imaging tests to determine the best treatment plan based on the type and severity of the injury/trauma.
Recovery After Hip Arthroscopy and Trauma Treatment
Recovery varies depending on the treatment performed. Most patients can expect the use of assisted devices for a few weeks post-surgery. Post-operative pain may be managed with medication and cold/heat therapy. Physical therapy will usually begin within a few days after surgery to restore mobility and strength. Patients may be able to return to light daily activities within 4 to 6 weeks. Full recovery, with returning to sports and strenuous activities, may take 3 to 6 months. Dr. Seiter and your care team will provide a personalized recovery plan and closely monitor your progress to ensure the best possible outcome.