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4 Tips to Prepare for Hip Arthroscopy

Spine and Orthopedic Center of New Mexico Blog 4 Tips to Prepare for Hip Arthroscopy

An arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure doctors use to diagnose and fix problems in your joints. Your hips are one of your most prominent joints, and when something goes wrong, the results make your life painful and difficult.

If you're unsure what's causing your pain and conservative treatments have failed to reduce your symptoms, you may need a hip arthroscopy.

Dr. Omar Osmani is our orthopedic specialist providing arthroscopic surgery at the Spine and Orthopedic Center of New Mexico in Roswell, New Mexico. He helps you prepare for your hip arthroscopy and tells you what to expect before, during, and after surgery.

What is hip arthroscopy?

Dr. Osmani uses hip arthroscopy to diagnose and fix issues within your hip joint. It's often the next step in treatment after you've tried several conservative measures without significant relief of your symptoms.

During a hip arthroscopy, Dr. Osmani uses a small instrument called an arthroscope to look inside your hip joint. The arthroscope is a long thin instrument with a light and camera at the end that displays an image on a screen in the operating room.

Dr. Osmani can see any abnormalities within your hip joint using the arthroscope. The procedure only requires a few small incisions, and we perform it on an outpatient basis, meaning you can go home the same day.

Hip arthroscopy is an excellent option when Dr. Osmani suspects something more is happening in your hip joint than he can detect with an external exam or imaging tests. You may need this procedure if you have any of the following problems:

However, hip arthroscopy isn't the best choice if your symptoms are associated with osteoarthritis. Dr. Osmani can slow the onset and progression of arthritis by treating the above symptoms through an arthroscopy, as most can contribute to arthritis over time if not treated.

Preparing for surgery

Although it's not as involved as a hip replacement, there are still a few steps you need to take before the day of surgery to ensure your procedure goes as planned. Dr. Osmani recommends bloodwork ahead of time to ensure you're healthy enough for surgery and anesthesia.

You may also need an exam, history, and physical to ensure no other issues would keep you from having surgery.

There are also a few other vital steps to ensure your procedure continues as planned before the day of surgery. Four crucial preparation tips for hip arthroscopy include:

1. Stop certain medications

A crucial step in a successful surgery is telling Dr. Osmani about every medication you take, whether prescription or over-the-counter. You should also include any natural or herbal supplements that can lead to complications during your procedure.

You may not need to stop taking all your medications. Still, if you take anything that thins your blood, Dr. Osmani advises you to stop it before your procedure. Our team provides detailed instructions on what medications you can continue taking before your hip arthroscopy.

2. Quit smoking

You should attempt to quit smoking a few months before your procedure for a smooth recovery. Smoking makes it harder for your body to heal efficiently, making your recovery longer and more complicated than needed.

3. Reduce intake of alcohol

Alcohol acts as a blood thinner, which is dangerous before surgery. In the weeks before your hip arthroscopy, reduce the alcohol you drink. In the week before surgery, attempt to stop drinking alcohol altogether. If you have alcohol in your system, it may cause more bleeding than usual during your procedure.

4. Don't eat after midnight

Another essential tip for preparing for your hip arthroscopy is knowing when to stop eating. You can't have anything in your stomach for your surgery, or you could have severe anesthesia-related complications.

We call you a few days ahead to review your instructions to ensure you're ready for your hip arthroscopy. Don't hesitate to ask us any questions you may have regarding your procedure.

There are a few other tips that can help make your recovery smoother, which include the following:

Hip arthroscopy can significantly help you when you're dealing with hip pain that just won't quit — but the proper preparation is essential to a safe and effective procedure.

To book your hip arthroscopy, don't hesitate to call our office in Roswell at 575-623-9101 or book an appointment on our website. You can also walk into our urgent care facility for quick and efficient care.

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