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Does hip arthroscopy cause arthritis?

Author

Emily Sparks

Published Jan 14, 2026

A clinical diagnosis of hip osteoarthritis was found in approximately 22% of young patients undergoing hip arthroscopy in as little as 2 years. These rates may differ when using alternate criteria to define OA, such as radiographs, and likely underestimate the prevalence.

Can hip arthroscopy make arthritis worse?

It does not cure osteoarthritis; however, it may help prevent its progression. If hip osteoarthritis has advanced into later stages, hip arthroscopy is not indicated and may actually make matters worse. Under these circumstances total hip replacement is the best option.

Can a hip labral tear cause arthritis?

A hip labral tear is damage to the labrum in the hip. That damage can lead to hip pain, damage to the bones in the joint, and arthritis in the joint.

Does hip arthroscopy lead to hip replacement?

The study, published in Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, found that more than one-third of the patients ages 60 to 69 went on to have a hip replacement.

Can a labral tear cause osteoarthritis?

Less commonly, osteoarthritis develops in younger people as the result of an injury such as a labral tear or a condition called hip impingement syndrome that occurs when the bones of the hip joint don't align properly.

19 related questions found

Does labral tear lead to hip replacement?

Studies suggest that when older people undergo hip surgery to repair a torn labrum the likelihood of needing a hip replacement increases. In these cases, a labral tear repair should be approached with caution,2 and hip replacement may be considered. An asymptomatic labral tear.

What aggravates hip labral tear?

The onset of symptoms was described as insidious in 61% of patients. Many patients with labral tears describe a constant dull pain with intermittent episodes of sharp pain that worsens with activity. Walking, pivoting, prolonged sitting, and impact activities, such as running, often aggravate symptoms.

Is hip arthroscopy worse than hip replacement?

Prior hip arthroscopy was also associated with significantly worse outcomes after hip replacement. The researchers found that within two years of having had arthroscopy, about two-thirds of patients with hip arthritis had undergone a total hip replacement.

How long does hip arthroscopy last?

Arthroscopic hip surgery is usually conducted on an outpatient basis, where the patient returns home on the same day as the surgery. Depending on your doctor's findings and the type of treatment that will be performed, arthroscopic hip surgery may take between 30 minutes and two hours.

Is hip arthroscopic surgery worth it?

Arthroscopic hip surgery undoubtedly plays an important role in the treatment of hip labral injuries. That said, many patients can find equally effective treatment with nonsurgical treatment. In almost all scenarios, nonsurgical treatment should be attempted before considering arthroscopic surgery.

What are the stages of hip arthritis?

Stages of Osteoarthritis of the Hip

Stage 1: Minor wear and tear of the hip joints and minor bone spurs, often with little to no pain. Stage 2: The cartilage begins to break down, and bone spur growths are often visible on X-rays. Symptoms include pain, discomfort and stiffness in the hip.

How do you diagnose arthritis in the hip?

There is no single test for diagnosing osteoarthritis, but often it is diagnosed by an abnormal X-ray that shows characteristic features such as narrowing of the joint and spurring of the joint margins. Your doctor will take your medical history and perform a physical examination.

What is the best exercise for osteoarthritis of the hip?

Good options for hip and knee OA include:

  • Walking.
  • Swimming.
  • Biking.
  • Elliptical training.
  • Cross-country skiing.

Does FAI surgery prevent arthritis?

It has also not been proven that surgery for FAI will prevent arthritis. However, removing the offending bone may help reduce further injury to the joint, while also reducing symptoms. The results of surgery are clearly better when there is no articular cartilage damage.

Is arthroscopic hip surgery painful?

Because the arthroscope and surgical instruments are thin, your surgeon can use very small incisions, rather than the larger incision needed for open surgery. This results in less pain for patients, less joint stiffness, and often shortens the time it takes to recover and return to favorite activities.

Does FAI lead to hip replacement?

Both hip dysplasia and hip impingement (femoroacetabular impingement, or FAI) are, in fact, major causes of osteoarthritis in the young adult hip and often result in the need for surgical reconstruction or replacement of the joint (a procedure called arthroplasty) at a young age.

What happens if hip arthroscopy fails?

Failed hip arthroscopy may be defined as persistent postoperative pain and/or stiffness—diagnosed by a combination of decreased joint capacity and global range of motion (ROM)—that does not improve with nonsurgical means [5]. In a systematic review of 6134 patients, Harris et al.

What can you not do after hip arthroscopy?

Limit prolonged standing and walking up to four weeks after surgery to avoid hip discomfort. Avoid deep squatting or heavy lifting up to six weeks after surgery. Avoid sleeping on the operated hip. Sleeping on your back or unaffected leg (with a pillow between the legs) will be more comfortable.

What stabilizes the hip joint?

The stability of the hip is provided by the joint capsule or acetabulum and the muscles and ligaments that surround and support the hip joint. The head of the femur rotates and glides within the acetabulum.

Is hip arthroscopy the same as total hip replacement?

While both procedures target the hip joint, it all depends on the condition of the patient's hip as each surgery treats the situation differently. Hip Arthroscopy is required to repair a labral tear and resolve hip impingement that could lead to osteoarthritis.

What should I avoid with a torn hip labrum?

What Should be Avoided with a Hip Labral Tear? Positions of pain such as excessive hip extension, jumping and pivoting should be avoided as it can cause impingement of the hip joint and spasm of the surrounding musculature.

Does a hip labral tear hurt all the time?

The intensity of pain and other symptoms varies by individual and by the severity of the damage. Some patients with diagnosable hip labral tears may not experience any noticeable pain at all. Some patients also report experiencing the hip locking up during everyday use.

What happens if you don't fix a hip labral tear?

If a labral tear is left untreated, it will lead to ongoing and worsening pain. A normal labrum is important to the normal function of the hip joint. A torn labrum leads to cartilage damage and eventual arthritis of the hip joint.

Does hip labral tear cause leg weakness?

#4: Weakness in the hip

Your hip joint relies on the labrum to hold the ball inside the socket. If the labrum is torn, you might notice your hip feels weak, or your leg feels like it's about to “give way” when placing weight on your leg.

Can a torn hip labrum cause leg pain?

Symptoms of a labral tear: Pain from a hip labral tear is most often felt near the groin in the front of the hip. Sometimes, patients will feel pain at the side and behind the hip joint, and this pain may radiate down the thigh.