To investigate the usefulness of arthroscopy for the diagnosis and treatment of various hip disorders.

From March 1995 to January 2000, we performed arthroscopy of the hip in a symptomatic 67 patients. There were 46 men and 21 women. Mean age was 40.7 years and mean follow-up was 33 months. Acetabular labral tears were found in 39 cases (59%), osteonecrosis of the femoral head in 12 cases (18%), synovitis in 4 cases (6%), and others in 12 cases. All patients were assessed with the Harris hip Score preoperatively and postoperatively at 6, and 12 months. JOA pain score and subjective satisfaction was also described.

The median score of HHS improved from 51.3 to 84.2. The success rate of operation was 70.9%. We excluded cases which con-verted to total hip arthroplasty after arthroscopic surgery.

Hip arthroscopy is useful for diagnosis and treatment in painful hip diseases. In cases of moderate osteoarthritis and chronic synovitis, it gives temporary pain relief. In osteonecrosis of femoral head, arthroscopy has an adjunctive role in diagnosis and treatment.