Hip Arthroscopy - Dr. Kostas Economopoulos

Hip Arthroscopy

Dr. Kostas Economopoulos

“Hip arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to treat several disorders by placing a small camera into the hip and using instruments the size of a pen.  The procedure can be performed through 2 or 3 poke holes in the skin rather than making a large incision.  The surgery can be done on an outpatient basis and due to its minimally invasive nature, allows patients to return to sport and other activities quickly. Hip arthroscopy is a relatively new procedure and only a few people in Arizona are performing the surgery.  Currently, I am the only orthopaedic surgeon in Arizona to have completed a concentrated fellowship in hip arthroscopy.

The most common disorders treated with hip arthroscopy are femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and tears of the hip labrum.  FAI is a condition where the hip is misshaped which can lead to injuries inside the hip and possibly early arthritis.  The labrum acts like an “O” ring around the hip socket and can be injured or torn due to FAI or other traumatic events to the hip.  Tears of the labrum may lead to disabling groin pain in athletes.

FAI is a common issue in young athletes causing them to miss playing time.  There is a high prevalence of FAI in athletes participating in sports such as soccer, football, hockey and rugby.  Other activities such as running and ballet can also lead to injuries inside the hip such as labral tears which can be treated with hip arthroscopy.  Due to the minimal invasive nature of hip arthroscopy, athletes can return to action earlier than if they were treated with open surgery.

My interest in hip arthroscopy stems from my background in general surgery, sports hernias and groin injuries in athletes.  Groin pain in athletes is becoming a more common problem, and to be an effective sports medicine surgeon, I felt I needed to be able to treat FAI appropriately.  I have spent the past 6 months in a fellowship focusing on hip arthroscopy and FAI.  I look forward to returning to Phoenix and focusing on sports hip injuries in addition to other aspects of sports medicine.”

TOCA

602-277-6211

www.tocamd.com

Congratulations to Dr. Amy Jo Overlin!

Congratulations to Dr. Amy Jo Overlin for her lecture on Wednesday May 8th, to the 2nd year medical students at The University of Arizona School of Medicine (on Common Sports Medicine Injuries of the Hip)! This is Dr. Overlin’s 4th year as a guest lecturer for the 2nd year medical student preclinical course.


TOCA (The Orthopedic Clinic Association)
602-277-6211
www.tocamd.com

Dr. Kostas Economopoulos, Dr. John O'Donnell, and Dr. Tom Carter

Dr. Kostas Economopoulos is honored to be working with one of the pioneers of hip arthroscopy, Dr. John O’Donnell.

John O’Donnell, MBBS, FRCS

Dr. O’Donnell has been performing hip arthroscopy since 1990 and was one of the earliest developers of arthroscopic FAI surgery in 2002. He is one of the early pioneers in the field and is one of a handful of high volume hip arthroscopists in the world having performed over 5000 hip arthroscopies. He is the president-elect for the International Society of Hip Arthroscopists and will take office in October 2013. He practices in Melbourne, Australia and takes care of many high-level athletes including Australian Rules Football players and Australian Olympic athletes.

Featured in the photo:  Dr. Tom Carter (TOCA) was asked to be a visiting professor in Australia,
Dr. Kostas Economopoulos (TOCA), and Dr. John O’Donnell.



TOCA
602-277-6211
www.tocamd.com

Sneak peak at Dr. Kostas Economopoulos!

Sneak peak at Dr. Kostas Economopoulos who will be joining TOCA at the end of this summer.

He is currently in Melbourne, Australia working with one of the pioneers of hip arthroscopy.

“Although I have spent nearly my entire life in Arizona, my family and I have traveled over 8000 miles to train with one of the true pioneers of hip arthroscopy, John O’Donnell in Melbourne, Australia.  Hip arthroscopy is surgery of the hip done through a camera instead of a big incision.  It is most often used in treating young adults with hip pain caused by femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), hip labral tears and articular cartilage injures inside the hip. There are few opportunities for concentrated training in hip arthroscopy around the United States since so few people do lots of this surgery.  When the offer to work with Dr. O’Donnell one-on-one for 6 months was made, I jumped at the chance.  The experience has been amazing.  I am getting hands on training with one of the best hip arthroscopists in the world.  In addition, my family and I are experiencing Australia, a truly amazing place to be.  I am looking forward to bringing back what I am learning in Australia back to Phoenix.”

-          - Dr. Kostas Economopoulos