Early Intervention and Lasting Relief

An osteoplasty is a type of surgery performed on the hip joint for the purpose of altering the rim of the socket or the ball that sits within the joint. It is a successful technique for improving the function of the joint and promoting a fuller range of movement. Osteoplasty is ideally performed at an early stage of hip problems. This procedure helps resolve pain and other symptoms while preserving the natural structures of the joint, preventing the need for a more extensive hip replacement.

What is osteoplasty?

Osteoplasty is a surgical procedure designed to reshape and smooth bone. It is commonly performed in the context of orthopaedic conditions such as femoroacetabular impairment (FAI).

In cases of FAI, osteoplasty involves the careful removal of excess bone from the femoral head or the acetabulum (hip socket) to create a smoother joint surface and prevent abnormal bone-to-bone contact. This procedure helps alleviate pain, improve joint function, and increase range of motion.

Minimally invasive hip surgery in New York

Osteoplasty can be performed arthroscopically, allowing for a minimally invasive approach with smaller incisions, reduced recovery time, and less postoperative pain compared to traditional open surgery. It’s an effective intervention for patients experiencing joint pain due to impingement or other bone-related abnormalities, aiming to restore normal joint mechanics and delay the progression of arthritis. Osteoplasty represents a significant advancement in the treatment of joint conditions, offering patients a targeted solution to improve their quality of life.

What can osteoplasty treat?

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI): Reduces the abnormal contact between the hip joint and femur in both the Cam and Pincer types of FAI.
Bone spurs: Removes bone spurs (osteophytes) that are causing pain and restricting joint movement.
Joint space narrowing: Addresses conditions where reduced space within a joint results in pain and limited mobility by reshaping the bone.
Early stage arthritis: Helps in managing early stages of arthritis by smoothing irregular bone surfaces.
Osteochondritis dissecans: Treats this condition where a small segment of bone begins to separate from its surrounding region due to a lack of blood supply.
Sports injuries: Addresses certain types of sports-related injuries that result in bone abnormalities or impingement.
Post-traumatic deformities: Corrects deformities resulting from fractures or other traumatic injuries to the bone.

Osteoplasty can be a key treatment option for these conditions, aiming to improve joint function, alleviate pain, and enhance overall mobility. Over time, hip impingement can tear or wear down the hip cartilage, causing pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of mobility. The condition may be present at birth but cause no symptoms until later in life. Vigorous athletic activity—particularly soccer, football, hockey, and running—may exacerbate the symptoms.

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How is the problem diagnosed?

The problem is typically diagnosed after a physical examination by a doctor, and a series of imaging tests such as X-rays and MRI scans are performed. Initially, a range of conservative treatment options will often be explored. However, if pain and other bothersome symptoms persist, an osteoplasty may be recommended.

What is the osteoplasty procedure?

The osteoplasty procedure generally takes several hours to complete, depending on the extent of the work that is required. It may be performed using an arthroscopic technique in which a few tiny incisions are created.

The surgeon will insert a small camera in one incision and specialized surgical tools in the others. In other cases, an open procedure may be necessary, accessing the joint through one long incision near the hip.

After anesthesia is administered and the incision has been made, the surgeon will remove a section of bone from the femoral neck and reshape it in order to increase the amount of clearance that exists within the hip socket. If necessary, some bone will be removed from the rim of the socket as well. The goal is to trim the bones enough to prevent the impingement from occurring, relieve the symptoms, reduce the likelihood of osteoarthritis developing, and improve the range of motion in the hip.

What is the recovery time?

After an osteoplasty procedure, patients may be required to remain in the hospital overnight. Typically, an assistive device such as crutches or a cane will be necessary for the first several weeks post-surgery to prevent patients from overstressing the hip joint while walking. Physical therapy can be very beneficial in regaining strength and flexibility in the hip as well as obtaining a greater range of motion.

Most patients can return to relatively sedentary jobs after approximately two weeks. However, more active pursuits and sports may be restricted for up to six months following the surgery.

Why choose us?

Choose New York Joints & Sports for unparalleled orthopaedic care. Our board-certified, fellowship-trained surgeons from prestigious universities like Princeton, Stanford, Harvard, Cornell, and Columbia are pioneers in the latest surgical techniques. Offering services in both Spanish and English, we pride ourselves on excellent patient outcomes and a deep commitment to healthcare. Our multidisciplinary team is dedicated to restoring your health, mobility, and lifestyle, specializing in sports medicine, trauma, and joint replacements.

Osteoplasty in New York