Advanced Hip Arthroscopy
Schedule An Appointment
What Hip Arthroscopy Treats
Hip arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure in which a small camera and instruments are inserted through tiny incisions to address labral tears, bone irregularities related to femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), and cartilage damage. Because the incisions are small, most patients have less scarring and a faster recovery than open hip surgery allows.
Dr. Gombera performs hip arthroscopy for hip labral tears, femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), hip instability, cartilage injuries, and revision cases where a prior repair has failed. What distinguishes his practice is not only the conditions he treats but the way he performs the surgery.
Three Techniques That Set Dr. Gombera’s Approach Apart
Capsule-Sparing Arthroscopy
The hip capsule plays a central role in long-term joint stability. Dr. Gombera uses techniques that minimize disruption to the capsule during surgery, preserving the natural anatomy that keeps your hip stable well beyond the operating table.
This is a meaningful distinction from approaches that require larger capsular openings.
Ultra-Low Radiation Surgery
Standard hip arthroscopy relies on prolonged fluoroscopy, a form of live X-ray guidance, which exposes patients to significant radiation. Dr. Gombera has refined a technique that typically uses only two to three seconds of fluoroscopy per surgery, a fraction of what most procedures involve.
He is currently the only surgeon in Texas performing hip arthroscopy with this approach.
Postless Hip Arthroscopy
Traditional hip arthroscopy uses a perineal post to create the traction needed to access the joint, introducing a risk of groin pain and nerve injury. Dr. Gombera performs postless hip arthroscopy, eliminating the post entirely and reducing those traction-related risks.
He has performed more than 1,000 postless procedures and regularly teaches the technique to fellow surgeons.
Recovery After Hip Arthroscopy
Most of Dr. Gombera’s patients go home the same day as surgery. Patients typically return to daily activities within about two months and return to sports between four and six months, depending on the procedure and individual progress. Dr. Gombera and his team provide a structured rehabilitation plan to guide each stage of recovery.
- Same-day discharge for most patients
- Return to daily activities in about two months
- Return to sports between four and six months
Who Is a Candidate
Frequently Asked Question
What conditions does hip arthroscopy treat?
What makes Dr. Gombera's hip arthroscopy different?
Dr. Gombera uses three techniques that distinguish his approach: capsule-sparing arthroscopy that preserves joint stability, ultra-low radiation surgery using only two to three seconds of fluoroscopy, and postless hip arthroscopy that eliminates the perineal post and its traction-related risks.
What is postless hip arthroscopy?
Postless hip arthroscopy removes the perineal post used in traditional hip arthroscopy to create traction. Eliminating the post reduces the risk of groin pain and nerve injury. Dr. Gombera has performed more than 1,000 postless procedures and teaches the technique to other surgeons.
How much radiation is involved in Dr. Gombera's hip arthroscopy?
Standard hip arthroscopy uses prolonged fluoroscopy, which exposes patients to significant radiation. Dr. Gombera has refined a technique that typically uses only two to three seconds of fluoroscopy per surgery. He is currently the only surgeon in Texas performing hip arthroscopy with this approach.
How long is recovery after hip arthroscopy?
Most patients go home the same day. Patients typically return to daily activities within about two months and return to sports between four and six months, depending on the procedure and individual progress.
Where does Dr. Gombera perform hip arthroscopy?
Dr. Gombera practices in Houston, Texas, at Fondren Orthopedic Group and Texas Orthopedic Hospital, where he serves as Director of the Hip Preservation Center. He treats patients from across the Houston area, throughout the country, and internationally.
Dr Gombera, MD