Arthroscopy, how does the procedure work?

Arthroscopy, a minimally invasive surgical procedure

You will meet your surgeon in the operating theatre. You will be placed on your back (or side, depending on your surgeon’s preference) on a table specially adapted for your operation. This is a traction table that allows you to pull on your hips to open them and insert the camera. A perineal support will be placed between your thighs and your feet will be placed in traction boots. An x-ray machine is used to check the space that has been created and also to check the insertion of the instruments into the hip and the movements that are made.

Correcting bone deformities.

The procedure consists of correcting bone deformities in the femur and acetabulum using an arthroscopic burr (remodelling). Lesions of the labrum are treated either by removing part of the labrum, when it is too damaged (resection), or by reinserting it on the acetabulum with a system of small bone anchors (suture). Cartilage lesions, if minimal, can also be treated using different techniques.

The nature of your hip and your injuries will determine how the joint is approached, your position during surgery, the techniques used to rebuild the joint and the choice of labral repair.

It is not possible to predict with certainty the actions to be carried out before the operation because the importance of the lesions can only be evaluated when the camera is introduced into the joint and the structures palpated. After the operation, your surgeon will be at your disposal to explain all the decisions he or she has made in relation to your situation.