Hip arthroscopy for a labral tear is a day-case procedure performed through 2-3 small portals. Recovery requires a structured rehabilitation programme of 4-6 months before return to sport.
ℹ️ Pre-operative assessment includes blood tests, health check, and medication review. Pre-operative physiotherapy is strongly recommended before hip arthroscopy.
Hip arthroscopy for labral repair and FAI correction takes approximately 60-90 minutes under general anaesthetic. Most patients go home the same day.
Routine pre-operative assessment for general anaesthetic. Blood thinners must be paused. NSAIDs should be stopped 1 week before surgery.
A pre-operative physiotherapy programme strengthening the hip abductors and core is recommended before arthroscopy. This improves post-operative recovery.
Crutches are required for 2-4 weeks after hip arthroscopy. Arrange these before surgery.
You cannot drive home after general anaesthetic. Arrange a lift home and someone to stay with you for the first 24 hours.
Hip arthroscopy works best in patients without significant pre-existing arthritis. Outcomes are less predictable in patients over 40, those with cartilage damage on MRI, or those with reduced joint space on X-ray. Discuss your individual prognosis with your surgeon.
ℹ️ You will be given a specific arrival time. Do not eat or drink (other than clear water up to 2 hours before) from midnight the night before. Bring your medication list and any documents sent by the hospital.
You will be admitted to the ward or day surgery unit, change into a gown, and be seen by the nursing, anaesthetic, and surgical teams before theatre.
Your surgeon will confirm the procedure, mark the operative side, and you will sign a consent form before going to theatre.
You will meet the anaesthetist in the anaesthetic room. Once anaesthesia is established, the procedure will begin.
After surgery you will wake in the recovery room where nurses monitor your vital signs until you are stable and comfortable.
Most patients having arthroscopic or day-case procedures go home on the day of surgery. Those having joint replacement typically stay 1–2 nights. Before discharge, the team will check your pain is controlled, give you wound care instructions, and confirm your follow-up appointment.
You will be given oral pain relief before discharge. Take it regularly for the first 48 hours rather than waiting until pain is severe.
A nurse will check the wound before you leave and explain how to keep it clean and dry.
You will receive a letter for your GP and details of your next outpatient appointment - usually at 2 weeks for a wound check.
Arrange for a family member or friend to collect you. You must not drive on the day of surgery if you have had a general anaesthetic or sedation.
⚠️ Important: If you develop increasing hip pain, fever, or wound changes after arthroscopy, contact your surgical team or attend A&E. Severe groin or thigh swelling, or any numbness in the foot, also requires urgent assessment.
Avoid getting the wound wet until it is fully healed - usually 10–14 days. Use a waterproof cover or cling film when showering.
Do not wait until pain is severe before taking medication. Regular simple analgesia (paracetamol, ibuprofen if appropriate) is more effective.
This is usually 2 weeks after surgery. Sutures or clips will be removed if used.
Seek urgent advice if you develop increasing redness, warmth, swelling, discharge from the wound, or a temperature above 38°C - these may indicate infection.
60-90 minutes. Most patients go home the same day.
Crutches for 2-4 weeks. Passive hip motion exercises begin from day 1 to prevent stiffness.
Weight-bearing without crutches. Physiotherapy progresses to active exercises and hip abductor strengthening.
Straight-line running from 3-4 months. Sport-specific training begins.
Cutting and pivoting sport from 4-6 months, guided by functional testing.
The aim is always to repair the labrum (stitch it back to the acetabular rim) rather than remove it. If the labrum is too damaged to repair, labral reconstruction using a tendon graft is performed. Labral excision (removing the torn part) is no longer recommended as it leads to worse outcomes.
Return to straight-line sport at 3-4 months and cutting or pivoting sport at 4-6 months, guided by physiotherapy-based functional testing.
Hip arthroscopy treats the labral tear and any underlying impingement (FAI) which may slow the development of arthritis - but this is not guaranteed. Patients with significant cartilage damage at the time of arthroscopy have a higher chance of progressing to hip replacement within 5-10 years. Younger patients without arthritis have the best long-term outcomes.
Most patients return to driving at 3-4 weeks, once they are off crutches and have adequate hip strength to control the vehicle safely and perform an emergency stop. Confirm with your insurer.
The aim of hip arthroscopy is to relieve groin pain caused by the labral tear and impingement, restore normal hip joint mechanics, and allow return to sport. The FAIT trial (Lancet 2018) demonstrated significantly better outcomes for surgery versus physiotherapy alone at 12 months.
Under general anaesthetic, the hip is placed in traction. Two to three small portals are made around the hip. The labrum is assessed and repaired using suture anchors placed in the acetabular rim. The cam deformity is resected (cam osteoplasty). Acetabular rim trimming is performed if there is pincer impingement. If the labrum is too damaged to repair, labral reconstruction using iliotibial band or ligamentum teres autograft is performed. Takes approximately 60-90 minutes.
Hip abductor and rotator strengthening, core stability training, and activity modification. The FAIT trial showed physiotherapy produces inferior outcomes to surgery at 12 months for symptomatic FAI with labral tear. Appropriate as first-line treatment.
In cases without significant FAI morphology, isolated labral repair may be appropriate. However, repairing the labrum without addressing the underlying impingement risks re-tear.
Not appropriate at this stage. Hip arthroscopy aims to delay or prevent progression to arthritis.
The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve and pudendal nerve are at risk from traction. Usually temporary.
The repaired labrum can re-tear. Risk is higher if the underlying FAI morphology is not fully corrected at the time of repair.
Abnormal bone formation after cam resection. Prophylactic anti-inflammatory medication is given.
Patients with significant pre-existing arthritis have less predictable outcomes and may progress to hip replacement.
Infection after hip arthroscopy is rare.
Expected after hip arthroscopy.
From traction on the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. Usually resolves within 1-4 weeks.
Untreated symptomatic labral tears with FAI morphology are associated with progressive cartilage damage and a risk of early-onset hip osteoarthritis. Surgery is associated with significantly better outcomes than physiotherapy alone at 12 months (FAIT trial). However, patients with already advanced arthritis may not benefit and should be counselled about the risk of early hip replacement.