Tennis is in full swing! We see it on the courts in our cities and on the TV in our homes. Tennis is a great sport for all ages and abilities. If you are staying off the courts due to a hip injury, hip arthroscopy may be a treatment option that can get you back in the game.
Hip Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a small, fiber-optic instrument called an arthroscope, which is inserted through a small incision in the hip. The arthroscope magnifies the image onto a monitor allowing your surgeon to look inside the hip joint for accurate diagnosis of hip damage or injury. Many times, necessary repairs can be made during this one procedure.
The benefits of hip arthroscopy compared to traditional open surgery include:
- Smaller incision
- Less scarring
- Lower infection rate
- Less disturbance to surrounding muscles and ligaments
- Faster recovery
- Quicker return to normal activities
Typically, patients may return home on the same day as the procedure. With hip arthroscopy, you won’t be out of the game for long.
When you do get ready to return to the courts, remember some guiding principles:
- Follow your post-operative instructions.
- Before playing, warm up your muscles and joints by stretching.
- Play doubles to ease back into the game.
- Don’t push yourself too hard. Listen to your body.
This minimally invasive procedure has numerous benefits and provides a faster recovery and quicker return to activities – including the tennis that you love.
Dr. Benjamin Domb, Founder and Medical Director at American Hip Institute, is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in Sports Medicine and Hip Arthroscopy. Dr. Domb is rated amongst the Top Doctors in the USA by the NY Times, US News & World Report, and Castle Connelly.
