The hip joint is a site that is constantly exposed to stress. But it can be damaged not only with regular heavy exercises, but also with an inactive lifestyle. Until recently, pathological changes in this area could only be detected with the help of an X-ray examination. This made it difficult to diagnose many diseases, since ailments were detected at the stages at which conservative treatment was already ineffective. This problem is currently resolved. Arthroscopy of the hip joint is a modern method of diagnosis and treatment, which allows to identify pathological processes at an early stage of their development.
Indications
The method allows you to examine in detail the ligaments, cartilage and bone tissue. If an inflammatory process or foreign elements are detected, treatment is possible immediately.
The essence of the technique is the introduction of special equipment into the body - an arthroscope. There is no need to open soft tissues as standard. The doctor immerses the instruments inside with a few small incisions.
Indications for arthroscopy of the hip joint:
- The presence of complications after previous prosthetics.
- Violation of the integrity of cartilage.
- In order to detect freely moving intraarticular bodies.
- Diagnosing the smallest changes in bone tissue.
- The inflammatory process that occurs in the synovial membrane.
- Injuries resulting in violation of the integrity of the joint tube.
- The presence of diseases of a chronic nature, which often recur and do not respond to conservative methods of treatment.
- Osteophytes, adhesions, contractures.
Thus, arthroscopy of the hip joint is not only a diagnostic method, but also a modern treatment method. If foreign elements are detected, the doctor can immediately remove them. In addition, when identifying an inflammatory process, a specialist accurately determines its localization and the nature of the course, which makes it possible to draw up an effective treatment regimen.
Contraindications
Like any other type of surgical intervention, arthroscopy of the hip joint has several limitations. The procedure is not performed in the presence of the following diseases and conditions:
- Allergic reactions or individual intolerance to medications used in the research process.
- Overweight. With obesity, it is not possible to get to the desired zone.
- Hip Ankylosis. In the presence of this pathology, the cavity does not expand, which makes it impossible to visualize the necessary areas.
- Anomalies in the structure of joints or bone tissue.
- Blood coagulation disorders.
- The general serious condition of the patient, which can be caused not only by diseases of the musculoskeletal system, but also by other ailments.
- The presence of mental abnormalities in the subject.
In some cases, the list of indications may be expanded during a conversation with the attending physician.
Preparation
Judging by the reviews of patients, arthroscopy of the hip joint does not require any specific measures. Preparation for the procedure is standard and includes the following items:
- Therapist consultation. The doctor’s task is to refer the patient for examination and, based on the diagnostic results, conclude that the person has concomitant diseases. For this, blood and urine tests are prescribed. If the patient suffers from pathologies of a chronic nature, the examination should be more thorough. In this case, consultation with narrow specialists is required.
- Talk with your doctor immediately before the operation. The specialist needs to provide information regarding which medications are currently being taken. Your doctor may recommend taking some medications for a while. In addition, the specialist must make sure that the general condition of the patient is good. Also, the task of the doctor is the psychological preparation of the subject before the procedure.
- Consultation with an anesthetist. The type of anesthesia is selected based on the results of the diagnosis and personal preferences of the patient. Anesthesia can be general, epidural or spinal. It is important to exclude the presence of allergies to injected drugs.
In the absence of contraindications, permission is issued to perform arthroscopy of the hip joint.
Algorithm
The duration of the procedure is from 1 to 3 hours. The sequence of actions is as follows:
- The doctor tells the patient in detail what the manipulation is for and what will happen during it.
- A person is laid on his back or healthy side.
- An anesthetic is administered.
- The doctor performs the distraction of the joint space so that after the introduction of the instruments, it is possible to carefully examine all the structures. For expansion, the specialist uses special systems.
- An x-ray examination of the hip joint is carried out, previously metal markers are superimposed on it. Such actions allow you to identify the places in which it is best to make cuts.
- The topography of the nerve trunks and the femoral artery is evaluated. This is necessary in order to prevent damage during diagnosis or treatment.
- If you need to further expand the joint space, the doctor extends the limb and injects saline.
- An orthopedic traumatologist or surgeon makes 2-3 small (about 2 cm long) incisions. It is recommended to provide 3 accesses for full diagnostics: front, rear and side. The doctor introduces the tools.
- The specialist assesses the condition of the joint, if necessary, excises and removes the affected areas and foreign bodies, restores the physiological position of the tissues after injuries, removes the pathological effusion.
- The final step is suturing and dressings.
Thus, the doctor can make an accurate diagnosis or conduct a full surgical treatment without providing open access.
Rehabilitation period
In most cases, patients recover very quickly. After a few days, an extract from the hospital is carried out. According to reviews, arthroscopy of the hip joint is well tolerated by most patients. Soon they begin to carry out their daily duties.
The time spent in the hospital increases with the development of any complications. In this case, the patient is discharged on average after 20-30 days.
In order to return to your usual lifestyle as soon as possible, you must follow these rules:
- After arthroscopy, undergo a full course of treatment with antibiotics prescribed by a doctor.
- The first 2 days showed complete peace.
- The examined and / or operated joint after arthroplasty is reliably fixed. It is forbidden to perform motor activity, which can disrupt this.
- The first 5 days, the patient needs to wear elastic bandages and compression garments.
- It is forbidden to take hot baths and stay in direct sunlight for 2 weeks after the operation.
The rehabilitation period after arthroscopy of the hip joint is very short. This is one of the advantages of the method. Most patients return to their usual activities within a few days. Within a few weeks, the wounds heal, and in their place subtle scars remain.
Possible complications
As a rule, after the procedure there are no negative consequences. Nevertheless, there remains a small risk of developing the following pathological conditions:
- Synovitis of acute form.
- Infectious diseases.
- Injury to the joint after the introduction of surgical instruments.
- Hemarthrosis.
- Adhesions and scars.
- Damage to nerve endings.
- Changes in the degree of mobility of the joint that was operated on.
The doctor tells the patient in advance about the possible risks, after which the latter makes the final decision regarding the procedure.
Cost
Hip arthroscopy is a very expensive operation. Its price depends on the chosen institution. In order to avoid the development of negative consequences, it is recommended to listen to the doctor’s advice regarding the clinic.
In Moscow, arthroscopy of the hip joint costs from 7 thousand rubles. up to 84 thousand rubles. Such a spread is explained by the level of specialists and the medical institution itself. The lowest cost of arthroscopy of the hip joint was recorded at the Central Design Bureau "RAS", the highest - at "K + 31". In the Miracle Doctor clinic, surgery is performed for 13 thousand rubles, in Medlux - for 30 thousand rubles.
The price range is colossal. In this regard, you must first find out the cost of the procedure in the registry of the selected institution.
Reviews
According to the opinions of doctors and their patients, arthroscopy is a modern method that allows you to identify and treat a disease at an early stage of its development. With its help, many people managed to avoid standard surgical intervention.
Judging by the reviews, the rehabilitation period is easy and fast. Most people in a few days return to their usual way of life.
Finally
Hip arthroscopy is a modern method for the diagnosis and treatment of many diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Its advantage is that it can be used to detect pathologies at an early stage of their development. In addition, after arthroscopy, the most effective treatment regimen is compiled.