Author: Dr. Mufaddal Gombera, Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon
Introduction When you are dealing with deep hip pain caused by Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI) or a labral tear, the idea of surgery can be daunting. As a sports medicine surgeon who has performed over 2,500 hip arthroscopies, I’ve seen how this procedure transforms lives—from high-level athletes to active adults who just want to walk without pain.
At my practice in Houston, I utilize advanced techniques, including postless hip arthroscopy, to minimize complications and speed up recovery. Below, I answer the most common questions patients ask me, combining medical facts with my real-world experience.
(Embed Image Here: Gombera_HipImpingement_V5_Final.jpg) Caption: Understanding the difference between Normal Anatomy and an Impinged Hip Joint with a Labral Tear.
What is hip arthroscopy for FAI and Labral Tears?
The Short Answer: Hip arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgery used to repair a torn labrum (the cartilage ring around the hip socket) and reshape the hip bones to correct Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI), preventing future damage.
Dr. Gombera’s Expert Insight: In my experience, the details of how the surgery is performed matter just as much as what is done.
To see inside the hip joint, we have to create space between the ball and the socket. Traditionally, this is done using a large perineal post between the legs to apply traction. However, I prefer a postless hip arthroscopy technique. By using friction pads and gravity instead of a large post, we significantly reduce the risk of groin numbness and nerve injury that can occur with traditional methods. This focuses the procedure entirely on fixing the hip—repairing the labrum and smoothing out the “Cam” or “Pincer” bone overgrowth—without adding unnecessary risks. Since transitioning to a postless technique, I have performed over 1,000 hip arthroscopies using this advancement successfully.
How long does hip arthroscopy surgery take?
The Short Answer: The procedure typically lasts between 40 to 60 minutes, depending on the severity of the impingement and the complexity of the labral repair.
Dr. Gombera’s Expert Insight: Patients often ask me why my operative times are frequently on the shorter end of the spectrum. In surgery, speed shouldn’t be about rushing; it should be about efficiency born from experience.
As a high-volume surgeon, I have refined my workflow to be precise and deliberate. Shorter operative time under anesthesia generally leads to less swelling and a smoother recovery. Furthermore, this experience allows me to adjust my technique instantly if we encounter more complex issues inside the joint, ensuring a higher success rate and a lower complication rate. I also regularly teach these efficient techniques to other surgeons, as well as fellows and residents to help raise the standard of care across the board.
How long after hip arthroscopy can I walk?
The Short Answer: Patients are typically on crutches for 2 to 4 weeks. You will be restricted to 20 lbs of weight-bearing (flat foot) for the first 2-3 weeks, after which you can progress as tolerated.
Dr. Gombera’s Expert Insight: “When can I ditch the crutches?” is probably the #1 question I get. While my official protocol protects the repair by limiting weight for the first 3 weeks, every patient heals differently. In my experience, most of my patients are weaning off crutches and walking comfortably by week 4.
You will also wear a hip brace for about 4 weeks when you are up and moving. This prevents you from moving the hip into positions that could stress the newly repaired labrum while it heals.
How to sleep after hip arthroscopy
The Short Answer: The best sleeping position after surgery is on your back. If you must sleep on your side, you should sleep on the non-operative side with a pillow between your legs.
Dr. Gombera’s Expert Insight: Sleep is crucial for healing, but it can be difficult when your hip feels tight.
The Back Sleeper Pro-Tip: If you sleep on your back, place a pillow under your knees. This slight bend relaxes the hip flexors and takes the tension off the front of the joint.
The Side Sleeper Pro-Tip: If you sleep on your non-operative side, the pillow between your knees is non-negotiable. It keeps your top leg parallel to the bed, preventing the hip from rotating or dipping down, which can cause pain.
Success Rates: Will I return to my sport?
The Short Answer: Hip arthroscopy has a success rate of roughly 85-90% for relieving pain. Return to elite-level sports typically takes 6 to 9 months, though many patients resume active hobbies much sooner.
Dr. Gombera’s Expert Insight: Statistics are helpful, but patient stories are better. I’ve treated everyone from teenage athletes to pickleball players who thought their active days were over.
Take Serge, for example. He is a patient of mine in his 40s who has been surfing, snowboarding, and mountain biking for 25 years. When his right hip gave out due to FAI and a labral tear, he couldn’t even climb stairs. He feared he was heading for a hip replacement.
We performed a labral repair and osteoplasty. Because he was dedicated to his rehab, his recovery was exceptional. Just three months after surgery, Serge was back to mountain biking in Utah and surfing. As he put it, “I have my life back.” While Serge’s recovery was faster than average, it highlights what is possible when expert surgery meets dedicated rehabilitation.
(You can watch Serge’s full story here: https://youtu.be/_ZuBxOM2KKs)
Do you have questions about hip pain? If you are suffering from groin pain, clicking, or catching in the hip, you may be a candidate for hip preservation surgery.
Contact Dr. Gombera and his team:
Website: www.gomberamd.com
Phone: 713-794-3457
Location: Fondren Orthopedic Group, 7401 S. Main Street, Houston, TX 77030
