Full weight-bearing and walking is allowed immediately. Initially, this will be aided by crutches. Most people will walk independently by 10-14 days postoperatively.

You should not drive for 48 hours after an anaesthetic. After 48 hours, your ability to drive will depend on the side you had your operation, left or right, the type of vehicle you drive, manual or automatic and the type of pain relief you are taking.  Mr Slattery will discuss this with you post operatively.

Your return to work will vary depending on the procedure performed and type of work you are engaged in. Most people can return to office work within 2 weeks. Labour intensive work however, may require you to take 4-6 weeks before returning to full duties.

Low impact activities, such as cycling can be commenced from week two. If your procedure involves bone removal, high impact activities, such as running and jumping, are best avoided for 6 weeks post-surgery. Sport specific re-training can commence from week 6, with the aim to return to elite level sports 3 months post-surgery.

The wounds take 7-10 days to heal. Most patients improve dramatically in the first 6 weeks. Occasionally, there are periods where the hip may become sore and then settle again. This is part of the normal healing process. It takes three months for your hip to fully recover from hip arthroscopy. Continued improvements may be gained up to 1 year post-surgery.

Your experience of pain will vary depending on the procedure performed and the amount of pre-existing damage in your hip. Most patients are pleasantly surprised at how little pain they have after the procedure. Local anaesthetic is injected before and after the procedure to minimise any pain you may feel.

The symptoms of FAI occur when impingement occurs between the ball and socket of your hip. Once the abnormal growth of bone in your hip joint has been removed, it is unlikely to grow back. The risk of ongoing damage to the hip is now low as the cause of the FAI has been removed.