To report our early experience of hip arthroscopy.

Forty one patients (45 hips) who underwent hip arthroscopy from November 2007 to February 2009 were enrolled in the study. The population was divided into 3 groups in sequence. The operation time, fluoroscopic time, traction time, and complications were analyzed.

There was no significant difference in operation time and traction time between the three groups. The fluoroscopic time decreased from 41 minutes in group I to 11 minutes in group III (p<0.01). There were four cases of nerve palsy; 2 pudendal nerve palsy in group I, 1 pudendal nerve palsy in group II, and 1 peroneal nerve palsy in Group III. All cases recovered completely within few days after surgery. Iatrogenic labral injury occurred in 4, 3 and 0 hips in group I, II and III, respectively. Iatrogenic cartilage damage to the femoral head occurred in 2, 3 and 1 hip in group I, II and III, respectively, which did not affect the outcomes.

Definite improvement in the hip arthroscopy technique was observed in the fluoroscopic time. No serious complications, such as death or permanent nerve palsy, were encountered.