Hip Arthroscopy

What is Hip Arthroscopy?

Hip arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that allows Dr. Stewart to diagnose and treat problems inside your hip joint through very small incisions. Using a tiny camera called an arthroscope, he can see inside the joint in real time and address issues that would otherwise require open surgery.

Dr. Stewart has been performing hip arthroscopy since 2000, making him one of the most experienced hip arthroscopists in Western Wisconsin. He has published research in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire on the relationship between sports participation and femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), bringing academic rigor to every patient's care plan.

For patients who ultimately need hip replacement rather than arthroscopy, Dr. Stewart also uses a muscle-sparing anterior hip replacement technique through a natural interval between muscles and tendons. This information is included here with hip arthroscopy so hip-preservation and hip-replacement options are housed together instead of split into separate procedure pages.

Hip arthroscopy may be indicated for the following conditions:

• Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), a condition resulting from abnormal pressure and friction between the ball and socket of the hip joint, which when left untreated may lead to the development of secondary osteoarthritis
• Labral tears, where the labrum lining the outer edge of the socket tears and causes hip pain
• Loose bodies, including bone chips or torn cartilage debris that cause pain and decreased range of motion
• Snapping iliopsoas tendon, which can be surgically released through hip arthroscopy to eliminate rubbing over the front of the hip joint
• Removal of adhesions, which are areas of built up scar tissue that limit movement and cause pain
• Removal of bone spurs caused by injury or arthritis
• Cartilage debridement in conditions such as arthritis
• Evaluation and diagnosis for patients with unexplained pain, swelling, stiffness, and instability that is unresponsive to conservative treatment

Direct Anterior Approach

When hip preservation is no longer the best option, Dr. Stewart may recommend total hip arthroplasty using a direct anterior approach. This technique reaches the hip from the front of the body through a natural interval between muscles and tendons, rather than cutting through major muscle groups.

The goal of the direct anterior approach is to replace the damaged hip joint while respecting the surrounding soft tissues as much as possible. For appropriate patients, this can support early mobility, a more predictable recovery pathway, and a return to daily activities with less disruption to the muscles around the hip.

Direct anterior hip replacement may be considered for patients with advanced arthritis, severe joint-space narrowing, or hip pain that is no longer responding to nonsurgical care. Dr. Stewart reviews imaging, symptoms, activity goals, and overall health to determine whether hip arthroscopy, continued conservative treatment, or hip replacement is the right next step.

• Uses a front-of-hip approach through a natural muscle interval
• Designed for patients whose hip joint damage is beyond preservation
• May support earlier walking and activity progression for appropriate candidates
• Allows hip preservation and replacement options to be discussed together during care planning

Am I a Candidate?

At your first office visit, Dr. Stewart will obtain an x-ray of the hip to evaluate for any evidence of femoroacetabular impingement, osteoarthritis, hip dysplasia, or other causes of hip pain. If you are a candidate for hip arthroscopy, a MRI of the hip as well as a 3D CT scan will generally be obtained for surgical planning purposes. In some instances, patients with early to moderate osteoarthritis of the hip joint may not be considered a candidate for hip arthroscopy.

Recovery Timeline

Frequently Asked Questions