How Does Arthroscopic Surgery Work?
Surgeons treat many orthopedic conditions with arthroscopic surgery, but you may not fully understand what this advanced surgical technique entails. Read on to learn about arthroscopy and why it’s used.
The hip is the largest joint in the human body. It consists of a ball and socket joint, where the rounded end of the femur rests into the pelvic bone. The end of the femur and inside of the pelvic socket are coated with a layer of cartilage, which provides a smooth surface for movement. The joint cavity between the femur and the pelvis is filled with a protective fluid. This viscous liquid provides lubrication to the joint and nourishes the cartilage. A series of tendons and ligaments hold the joint in place and allow it to move. The hip gives us a wide range of motion- second only to the shoulder. This joint must also endure a high range of forces, as it absorbs the impact of walking or running, while also bearing our weight when we sit or stand.
Given the complexity and necessity of the hip joint, signs of damage to the area should not be ignored. If you are experiencing pain or discomfort in the thigh, groin, buttocks or around the hip joint itself, you should seek medical advice to determine the cause. The hip can suffer damage through overuse of the muscles and tendons. As you age, the cartilage of the hip may break down due to wear and tear. The bones of the hip can become impaired following injury, such as after a fall or participating in contact sports.
At Silicon Valley Orthopaedics, we provide specialist treatment options for numerous hip issues. Combining a wealth of knowledge in sports medicine and orthopedic surgery, we aim to pursue minimally invasive procedures to remedy your hip pain.
Common issues that cause discomfort and a reduced range of movement in the hip include tearing or rupturing the muscles and tendons that support the joint. If you are experiencing pain on the outer side of the hip, you may have torn your Gluteus Medius muscle. Pain may increase when attempting to move your lower limbs or from lying on the affected side. You may notice that the affected leg is unable to bear body weight, and you will tend to incline to the uninjured side.
The intensity of treatment required depends on the degree of tearing to the Gluteus Medius. For minimal damage, a conservative recovery program tailored to your lifestyle needs may be all that is required. A complete rupture of the Gluteus Medius could necessitate surgery, although this can be accomplished through minimally invasive techniques.
Pain in the groin or buttocks accompanied by stiffness in the hip may indicate a hip labral tear. Symptoms include feeling unsteady when standing or moving, and a locking or clicking sound in the hip. A labral tear occurs when the cartilage in the socket joint has been damaged. This condition can be very serious if left untreated. Aside from being extremely painful, as this condition progresses, the hip can become debilitatingly unstable.
With early intervention, resolving a labral tear will not require surgery. Resting the joint and taking non-steroid-based anti-inflammatory medicine, along with physical therapy and injections to the hip joint, could effectively cure this injury. If a hip labral tear has progressed, surgery is usually necessary. Silicon Valley Orthopaedics uses small incisions and specialist tools so that you will be left with minimal scarring to the area.
Our surgery is committed to resolving your joint problems, with a focus on maintenance rather than replacement. We can give you a custom treatment plan to suit your health and fitness levels. You can expect to receive support throughout the entire treatment process. Don’t rest on your painful hip, contact Silicon Valley Orthopaedics in San Jose today.
