Complications. The word no one wants to hear about their surgery. However, it's important to realize that there are real risks involved with any surgery, as well as particular risks with this specific surgery. I'm around enough people at the hospital who go through surgery that I've seen the worst possible outcomes, but I also see the hundreds of people that make it through fine. So, why wouldn't you get this surgery?
1) DVT - Probably the most common complication of surgery, particularly involving a joint in the lower extremity where it's immobile following the procedure. DVT stands for deep vein thrombosis. Basically a clot forms in one of the deep veins in your legs. This can cause numbness, tingling, and swelling, but also can detach and travel to your lungs (pulmonary embolus)...which is obviously bad.
2)Infection - Any invasive procedure has this risk. It's been fairly well minimized in recent years, especially with an arthroscopic procedure. I got prophylactic Ancef during the procedure and one dose directly after. Superficial incision infection isn't that big a deal, but if the infection is in the joint itself then their's problems. First, antibiotics for anywhere from 6 weeks to 3 months, and probably another surgery to remove the anchors they placed, and then another one to put new ones in. Needless to say the surgeon doesn't want to do that.
3)Nerve damage - There are several major nerves located near the hip joint and damage is possible with surgery. Furthermore, during traction some tension and possibly compression on the pudendal nerve leading to temporary numbness and tingling in the inner thigh and groin area.
4)Damage to normal structures.
5) Hip flexor tendonitis - This one is specific to hip labral repairs. There's a tendency for this surgery to make this guy cranky. Furthermore, we have a tendency to use it for a multitude of activities following surgery (lifting our leg into bed, standing, trying to get a sock on, etc.). Once you have hip flexor tendonitis it's very difficult to get rid of. Therefore, it's paramount to rest that hip directly after surgery and listen to your body if this starts to bother you.
6) No improvement - To me this one is my least favorite. To go through the surgery and recovery and to come out the other side with no improvement would just suck! However, the statistics indicate you're likely to be better off following the surgery.
There you have it! All the reasons you wouldn't get surgery. They sounds pretty scary and some of them are, but overall the incidence rate of each of these is very low.
