Am I A Candidate For Arthroscopic Surgery

Hip arthroscopy candidate

If the following findings are present, you may be a candidate for a hip arthroscopy

• Groin pain, deep lateral hip pain, or deep buttock pain with no low back involvement
• Pain with flexing your hip up and bring across your body
• Catching or locking in your hip
• MRI or MR arthrogram demonstrating a labral tear and/or you have had significant relief with an injection into your hip joint
• Physical therapy focusing on your gluteal and core strength was completed without relief of your symptoms

Not an arthroscopy candidate

• Osteoarthritis (advanced)
  • Mild to moderate osteoarthritis may be treated with a cortisone injection prior to considering hip arthroscopy
• Lumbar spine degenerative disc disease
  • Low back pain should have a thorough spine workup

Knee arthroscopy candidate

Patients that have knee pain or instability without significant arthritis may be a candidate for a knee arthroscopy.   Current indications for knee arthroscopy include:

• Meniscus tears
• ACL tears
• Loose bodies
• Cartilage injuries
• PCL tears
• Stiff total knees replacements

Typically an MRI is ordered prior to proceeding with knee arthroscopy.  Based on the type of knee pain and MRI findings, non-operative treatments may be tried first such as physical therapy, injections, NSAID’s and rest.

Shoulder arthroscopy candidate

Shoulder arthroscopy is typically indicated when non-operative treatment has failed or is contra-indicated for specific injuries.  Current indications for shoulder arthroscopy:

• Full thickness rotator cuff tears or traumatic tears
• Shoulder impingement that has failed extensive physical therapy and injections
• Loose bodies
• Calcific tendinitis that has failed non-operative treatment
• Acromial clavicular arthritis that has failed non-operative treatment
• Frozen shoulder that has failed extensive non-operative treatment
• Biceps tendon tears
• Labral tears