To evaluate the efficacy of arthroscopic surgery in inflammatory hip arthritis. Methods A retrospective clinical study was conducted inspecting 40 hips in 36 patients of inflammatory arthritis. There were 17 cases of ankylosing spondylitis

11 cases of rheumatoid arthritis

and 8 cases of psoriatic arthritis. The joints were irrigated and the inflamed tissues were debrided with anthroscopy. The patients were followed up with Harris hip score

Oxford hip score

Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Statistical analysis was performed using Student t test.Results All of the 36 cases were followed up for 46-103 months

averaging 67.2±8.4 months. Harris and Oxford scores increased from 66.9±12.1 and 69.4±16.4 before operation to 78.4±19.3 and 80.2±18.8 after operation

respectively (P<0.05). VAS score decreased from pre-operative 8.5±2.5 to post-operative 7.2±2.5 (P<0.05). All the patients showed improved joint range of motion. MRI revealed alleviation of hip synovitis. The results were classified as excellent in 8 patients

good in 17 patients

fair in 8 patient

and poor in 3 according to Harris hip score. Twenty-seven patients were satisfied with the operative outcomes as they regained normal daily activities. Conclusions Arthroscopy-assisted joint debridement and synovium resection is an effective procedure for hip lesion in inflammatory arthritis. The inflammatory lesion might be thereby controlled and the symptoms be relieved.