Skip to main content
Hip ReplacementSecond Opinion Guide

Should you get a second opinion for hip arthroscopy?

Hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and labral tears has grown rapidly, and so has debate about appropriate indications. Outcomes depend heavily on surgeon experience and correct patient selection. A second opinion is strongly recommended, particularly to confirm the diagnosis, to ensure non-surgical options have been tried, and to verify the surgeon performs high volumes of this procedure.

Red flags - consider a second opinion if you notice these

  • Surgery was recommended after a single MRI without a diagnostic hip injection to confirm intra-articular pain
  • Significant arthritis is present on imaging - hip arthroscopy outcomes are poor when arthritis is substantial
  • The surgeon performs fewer than 50-100 hip arthroscopies per year
  • Physical therapy targeting hip rotator strengthening was not tried
  • You are over 50 with labral tearing, where outcomes are less predictable

Questions to ask the second surgeon

  1. 1How many hip arthroscopies do you perform each year?
  2. 2Has a diagnostic injection confirmed that my pain is coming from inside the hip joint?
  3. 3Is there any arthritis present that might affect my outcome?
  4. 4What exactly will you do during the procedure: labral repair, bony reshaping, or both?
  5. 5What are my chances of avoiding hip replacement after this surgery?
  6. 6What does your rehabilitation protocol look like?

What to expect from a second opinion visit

For hip arthroscopy, surgeon volume and experience are especially important. Seek a second opinion from a hip preservation specialist at a high-volume center. Bring your hip MRI arthrogram (standard MRI is often inadequate for labral tears) and any X-rays showing bone morphology.

Common questions

What is femoroacetabular impingement?
FAI is a condition where extra bone on the femoral head (cam impingement), the acetabular rim (pincer impingement), or both causes the hip bones to abnormally contact each other during movement. This can damage the labrum and cartilage over time. Not everyone with FAI anatomy has symptoms, and many people with FAI anatomy never need surgery.
How long does hip arthroscopy recovery take?
Most patients use crutches for 2-6 weeks and undergo 3-6 months of physical therapy. Return to sport takes 4-6 months for most athletes. The recovery is longer than many patients expect, and skipping rehabilitation is the most common reason outcomes fall short.

Find a Hip Replacement specialist for a second opinion

Search board-certified surgeons by specialty, location, and accepted insurance - free for patients.

Find a specialist About Hip Arthroscopy
All second opinion guides