I'm looking for people who have experience with arthroscopic hip surgery. Looks like I am heading back to the OR (first for hips). Right now they are suspecting a pincer hip impingement (due to a deep hip socket) and snapping hip syndrome (r side) See http://www.hipfai.com/ for a picture! TBD if also on l side.

Anyway, I am having the MRI-A on Friday. What the surgeon is saying is that we either fix this now or I could end up with arthritis (I'm 31). The pain isn't too bad right now most of the time in the hip. Yeah I get back pain and other hip issues but it currently has not servely altered my life yet. The sugeron said if I don't do this within the next 6ish months, then the approach in 5 years could be very different. 4 weeks on crutches and 6 months of rehab. However, dramatically better than a hip replacement.

I'm gathering opinions and experience to make a decision....wondering if anyone has something to share on this subject.

I had an open surgical dislocation of the hip 10months ago to fix a labral tear, impingement, and to smooth the femoral head and neck. It did help with the popping, unless you truly can't stand it anymore I would reccomend holding off, though if you are doing it laproscopically it may be different. Mine still hasn't healed after 10 months, developed a titanium allergy so had to get the screws out Thursday, still in hospital can't get pain down. Sorry this post makes no sense will return later in the week or you can pm me when more coherent.

I had the exact same hip surgery and hip problem (except, in addition to the pincer impingement, I also had a labral tear) that you describe here UWPONINE. I had it done this April, and while I am still recovering, I can already feel an amazing difference in my hip, and wouldn't change my decision on having the surgery! (BTW, I'm only 23). Being on Crutches for 4 weeks sucked, but I got used to it. There was minimal pain after the surgery, and all of the pain I had prior to surgery is completely gone! My only 'complaint' is some tightness I feel in my hip now (Physical therapy is supposed to help me loosen that up), but being someone with hypermobile joints, I actually kind of like the tightness

In 10 days it will have been exactly 3 months since my hip arthroscopy and here's where I am at: the tightness I described above and I am still working on my long distance walking-endurance. (I tried to go to a big county fair this week and my hip got pretty tired after the 2 hours of walking I did there... and was sore the next day... but that is to be expected) my doctor says I'll be 100% at the 6 month point.

Hmm, so idk what else to say other than I am extremely pleased with the outcome of the surgery and it greatly improved my quality of life. If you have ANY questions what so ever about the surgery, recovery, or anything... feel free to ask. best of luck

I am forever thankful for my hip surgeon. I had a limp for two years because of a snapping hip. He did open incision, but I healed great. I used a wheelchair for a few days and I was walking (without the limp) within ten days. It was worth it for me. He used glue and steristrips and a few dissolving sutures on the inside.

I don't know much about scoping, but I hear good things about these folks: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hipscopecommunity/. I'm part of a sister community of sorts (http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/hipwomen/) for dysplasia patients. Good luck!