Both my grandparents have had hip replacements using the new minimally invasive methods with arthroscopy. Now my own two-year old daughter needs hip surgery for dysplasia. Can she have this same kind of surgery?

The use of minimally invasive arthroscopy for hip surgery is fairly new even in adults. Surgeons who attempted to use the same method for children found it difficult and frustrating.

Since then newer techniques have been developed. Better surgical tools have expanded the uses of arthroscopy in children. Now bone spurs and loose pieces of bone or cartilage can be removed from in and around the hip joint.

The first report of results from using arthroscopy with hip dysplasia was recently published. Three children had this operation after previous conservative care and surgery failed. The results were good with few complications.

More study is needed before minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery can be used routinely in the pediatric population. Complications and long-term results must be tracked and compared to the standard open operation currently used.