I’ve had two hip replacements and arthroscopic knee surgery to remove a torn meniscus, so I know all about arthroscopy. But I heard they are using this procedure in children and I was wondering why. What kinds of problems do the kids have that would require this kind of surgery?

Most adults do think about hip arthroscopy exams as being for hip pain from age-related degenerative osteoarthritis. Many are thinking they might need a hip replacement. But, in fact, inserting a surgical scope into the hip of a child or adolescent can be a very useful diagnostic tool.

Children can have many different hip disorders that would be better treated if the surgeon could look inside the hip and see exactly what’s going on. That’s what arthroscopy offers over a simple X-ray or even the more detailed CT scan or MRI.

Hip problems in patients 18 and under range from juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and fractures to labral (cartilage) tears and tendinitis. Treatment of specific hip diseases such as Legg-Perthes and slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is also aided by arthroscopic exam.

More and more children are participating in sports and activities that affect the hip such as gymnastics, ballet, track and field, and horseback riding. The recognition of a hip problem called femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) in children has really put hip arthroscopy into use for this age group.

It is expected that the need for arthroscopic exam to diagnose and treat a variety of hip disorders will continue to expand its use in the near future.