Hip Arthroscopy Recovery & Rehabilitation

What to Expect

Recovering from hip arthroscopy is usually faster than traditional open surgery. You usually experience less trauma to the tissue, less pain and a quicker recovery.  

Following arthroscopy surgery, you may be drowsy from any general anesthesia or numb from any regional anesthesia. Your health care team will provide you instructions on how to care for your small incisions.

Early on, patients will experience some swelling and discomfort in the hip. This may last for several days after the surgery. A prescription for pain medication and an anti-inflammatory drug to help alleviate these symptoms may be given. Contact your doctor if you have any unusual swelling or redness, if the area feels warm, or if you injure your hip in any way.   

In most cases, physical therapy is required. Your surgeon and physical therapist will determine the most appropriate rehabilitation program.  It may take 3 to 6 months to return to normal activity levels. 
 

Activities to Discuss with Your Surgeon

Some activities that take additional care with in the first 8 weeks that you should discuss with your physician before doing:

• Prolonged standing, especially on hard surfaces
• Prolonged walking
• Heavy lifting
• Squatting/crouching
• Sleeping on your side; try to sleep on your back
• Sitting with hips at 90 degrees; a more open position is recommended
   

Common Possible Complications

Knowing complications you may face can help you prepare better and take the necessary steps to avoid them.  

All surgery carries risks, although every effort is made to minimize them. You should discuss the risks of side effects from general anesthesia with your surgeon.  

Another potential complication is temporary numbness in the groin and genitalia area, due to the hip distraction during surgery and the pressure on nerves in the groin area. This typically lasts for a few days.