What happens during arthroscopy of the hip?
Arthroscopic hip surgery is a minimally invasive procedure. The use of an arthroscope means that the procedure is done using two to three small incisions − each approximately 1/4" to 1/2" ( 0.6 cm to 1.5 cm) long. These small incisions, or “portals", are used to insert the surgical instruments into the joint. Aiding other advances in arthroscope technology, saline fluid will flow through the joint during the procedure, irrigating and expanding it to provide the surgeon with a better view. The surgeon’s visualization of the joint is also aided by fluoroscopy, a portable X-ray apparatus used during the surgery so that the surgeon can see that the instruments and arthroscope are inserted properly.