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Hip arthroscopy
- No.1 in London for private orthopaedic care*
- 97% of orthopaedic patients rate our care ‘very good’ or ‘excellent'
- Appointments confirmed within 24 hours
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HIP ARTHROSCOPY AT HCA UK
Why choose us?
If you’re looking for fast, effective treatment for hip problems, we’re here to help. HCA UK is home to some of the UK’s most trusted hip specialists, and you’ll receive dedicated, personalised care. Our expert consultants use state-of-the-art imaging technology to understand your condition and deliver an accurate diagnosis, so they can give you the treatment you need to get back to living your life.
It’s why we have a higher proportion of 'Outstanding' ratings from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) than any other private healthcare group in the UK.
It’s why we have a higher proportion of 'Outstanding' ratings from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) than any other private healthcare group in the UK.
A hip arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure, sometimes called keyhole surgery, where a surgeon inserts a small camera (arthroscope) into your hip. This allows them to see inside your hip joint, diagnose any issues and repair or remove any damaged tissue. Because it only requires a small incision, it takes less time than open hip surgery and has a faster recovery time.
Your surgeon will make a small incision in your hip, which allows them to insert the camera and clearly see inside. Once the camera’s inside, it’s connected to a video monitor, so your surgeon can explore your hip joint, look for any issues and expertly deal with them before closing the incision with stitches.
This will all happen under general anaesthetic, so you won’t feel any pain during the surgery.
This will all happen under general anaesthetic, so you won’t feel any pain during the surgery.
A hip arthroscopy can serve two purposes, both as a diagnostic process and as a treatment used for a range of common hip conditions.
Your orthopaedic consultant might recommend a hip arthroscopy if you have one of the following conditions which hasn't responded to non-surgical treatments:
Your orthopaedic consultant might recommend a hip arthroscopy if you have one of the following conditions which hasn't responded to non-surgical treatments:
- Labral hip tears: If a labral hip tear is causing significant pain, an arthroscopy can be carried out to repair the damage.
- Hip impingement, also known as femoroacetabular impingement (FAI): This is a condition in which the shape of the ball of your hip doesn’t match your socket. A hip arthroscopy can help reshape and smooth areas of the joint and therefore reduce pain and improve movement.
- Cartilage damage: This can be due to an injury or wear and tear. Hip arthroscopy surgery can be used to help relieve and improve pain if the joint is not too damaged.
No.1
in London for private orthopaedic care
10
specialist orthopaedic fields offering personalised treatment
97%
of our patients are likely to recommend us to family and friends
Fast access to specialists
appointments bookable online or by phone
Expert orthopaedic treatments
from specialist hip and pelvis consultants
State-of-the-art diagnostics
with results in as little as 48 hours
THE HIP ARTHROSCOPY PROCESS
What to expect
We’re here to make sure you receive a fast and accurate diagnosis, effective surgery and all the support and care you need to get back to an active, pain-free life. Every patient is different, but this overview below will give you a good idea of what to expect from the process.
01
Initial GP consultation
The first step is to talk to a GP about your hip issues. They’ll ask you about your medical history, your overall health and lifestyle, and the specific problems with your hip, such as your mobility, your pain levels and any previous treatments you’ve had.
02
Non-surgical exploration
Your GP will always explore the possible benefits of non-surgical options such as physiotherapy, pain medication and steroid injections before suggesting any surgery.
If that fails to resolve the pain you’re experiencing, they’ll then refer you to an orthopaedic consultant.
03
Investigations and diagnosis
Once you’ve been referred to a hip consultant, they’ll carry out a thorough physical examination of your hip and test your range of movement. Your consultant may also want to conduct imaging tests such as an X-ray or an MRI scan to assess the level of damage in your hip. They’ll discuss the specific details of your condition and explain their recommended treatment.
04
Treatment
Your surgeon will carry out the arthroscopy through a small incision in your hip, looking for areas of wear or damage and repairing or removing bone or tissue that’s causing pain. Your hip arthroscopy surgery should be over within about 90 minutes.
05
Recovery
The recovery time from a hip arthroscopy varies from person to person and depends on the specific surgery you’ve had. Your consultant will let you know what to expect and how to care for your hip while it heals. You should be able to go home on the same day as your procedure, but the area where the incisions were made may feel swollen and tender for a few days. You’ll be given any medication you need to manage your pain. A member of the physiotherapy team will also give you some crutches and help you learn to use them, along with talking you through any exercises to do at home to help your recovery.
LOCATIONS
You can access our specialist hip services at a range of convenient locations across London and at our flagship hospital in Birmingham. From initial consultation through to treatment and next steps, you’ll be treated by some of the country’s most respected experts.
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road SW1W 8RH London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
Accessing private healthcare
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll offer you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what treatments you’re paying for.
Find out more
Hip arthroscopy FAQ
A hip arthroscopy surgery can diagnose and treat conditions that are causing you pain and affecting mobility in your hip. The main benefits include freeing up the joint and removing any loose fragments of bone or tissue to:
- Increase movement and mobility
- Potentially reduce the need for a primary hip replacement
- Help delay the onset of arthritic hips
- Improve your quality of life
- Deliver a diagnosis and treatment in one, without the need for major surgery
All surgery carries some potential risks and side effects. However, because it’s a minimally invasive procedure, the risks are generally lower than with open surgery. These risks might include:
- Injury to blood vessels, nerves or muscles around the incision. Severe injury is rare but there might be mild bruising and bleeding around the wound. Some people might experience numbness and pressure around the groin because of their leg being in traction
- Swelling at the site of the surgery, especially during the first few days, caused by the fluid that’s injected into your hip to aid the procedure
- Pain after the surgery which usually subsides after a few days and should disappear after a few weeks
- Infection is rare but if it occurs it’s normally at the site and is easily treated with antibiotics. A severe infection that affects the joint surface is uncommon
It depends on your general health, your specific hip condition and what happens during the surgery itself. You’ll usually be able to get back to light physical activities in about three weeks. A full recovery takes three to four months, on average. If your consultant has recommended physiotherapy exercises and you’re progressing well, you should also be able to return to physical activities such as sports.
As a general rule, you shouldn’t drive until you are able to be fully in control of your vehicle without suffering severe pain. Your consultant can talk you through how well you’re healing and agree on a plan as your recovery progresses.
Before recommending surgery, your consultant may suggest alternative, non-surgical treatments such as:
- Resting and reducing or eliminating activities such as sports, especially if your hip damage was caused by an injury, giving your hip time to recover and heal and helping to decrease your pain levels
- Taking anti-inflammatory medication which can reduce inflammation and pain in the hip
- Physiotherapy to help your joint recover and to restore mobility using targeted exercises to improve the range of motion without risking further injury
Our patients’ stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
“I was able to walk the same day, and I was discharged the next day, which was fantastic.”
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*as reported by PHIN
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.