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Hip Arthroscopy Specialist

Joe Cooper, MD Our Services Hip Arthroscopy

Joe Cooper, MD

Orthopedics & Sports Medicine located in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA & Brentwood, CA

Hip arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that allows Dr. Cooper to diagnose and treat a wide range of hip joint problems through small incisions, without the recovery demands of open surgery. Using a small camera (arthroscope) and specialized instruments inserted through portals around the hip, Dr. Cooper can address sources of pain and mechanical symptoms that cannot be effectively treated with conservative care alone.

The most common conditions treated with hip arthroscopy include femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) — where abnormal bone shape causes painful pinching in the hip — labral tears, cartilage defects, and loose bodies. Dr. Cooper corrects the underlying bony abnormality causing FAI (cam or pincer deformity) and repairs the torn labrum with suture anchors, restoring the hip's natural seal and mechanics.

Hip arthroscopy is performed as an outpatient procedure. Patients use crutches for several weeks during the initial healing phase, then progress through a structured physical therapy program. Most patients return to recreational sport and full activity within four to six months. By addressing the structural problems driving hip pain, arthroscopy can relieve symptoms and help protect the joint from accelerated arthritis in the long term.

Hip Arthroscopy Q & A

What is hip arthroscopy?

Hip arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure in which Dr. Cooper examines, diagnoses, and treats problems within your hip joint using an arthroscope — an ultrathin tube with a miniature fiber-optic camera and built-in light source. 

The arthroscopic approach allows Dr. Cooper to see the inside of your hip joint in extreme detail. With arthroscopy, he can see problems that may not show up well on an MRI, such as cartilage damage or issues within the joint capsule. He can also treat problems during the procedure.

What conditions does hip arthroscopy diagnose and treat?

Hip arthroscopy can diagnose and treat many different conditions, including: 

  • Loose bodies: Bone and cartilage fragments
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) 
  • Septic arthritis
  • Hip labrum tears
  • Ligament tears
  • Tendon tears
  • Muscle tears 
  • Snapping hip
  • Bursitis
  • Synovitis
  • Pediatric hip disorders
  • Cartilage defects
  • Sciatic nerve pain
  • Hamstring disorders 
  • Fractures

In general, Dr. Cooper only recommends hip arthroscopy as a treatment if your condition doesn't improve with nonsurgical care. 

What happens in a hip arthroscopy?

In a hip arthroscopy, Dr. Cooper places the arthroscope into your joint through a very small hip-area puncture. The arthroscope sends live video of your joint to a monitor, where Dr. Cooper can carefully examine and diagnose problems. 

If you need any type of repairs within your hip, for example, repair of a labrum tear or restoration of a misshapen joint, Dr. Cooper creates additional tiny punctures to insert specialized surgical tools and perform those repairs.

What kind of anesthesia do I need for a hip arthroscopy?

For a hip arthroscopy, you generally receive spinal anesthesia with a hip-area block, which avoids general anesthesia. With this approach, you have less pain and won't need as much narcotic pain medicine as you would with a general anesthesia procedure. 

You'll be less tired and can thus feel more like yourself sooner than you would with general anesthesia.

What happens after a hip arthroscopy?

Hip arthroscopy rarely causes complications. It's usually a same-day procedure, so you go home using crutches. Dr. Cooper designs a personalized rehabilitation plan to help you safely reclaim your strength and mobility after the procedure. 

Athletes can often resume their sport in 6-8 months, but your exact recovery time varies with the condition and extent of the repair.

How does a hip arthroscopy compare to traditional hip surgery?

Hip arthroscopy offers many advantages, including:

  • Less tissue damage
  • Less bleeding
  • Less pain
  • Smaller incisions
  • Reduced scarring
  • Faster recovery and return to normal activities

A hip arthroscopy can give you freedom from pain and improved function without major surgery. Learn more about how hip arthroscopy can help you by calling Joe Cooper, MD, or click on the provided link now.

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