Purpose The purpose of the study was to quantify patient exposure to ionising radiation during fluoroscopic-assisted arthroscopic surgery of the hip, establish a risk profile of this exposure, and reassure patients of radiation safety during the procedure. Methods We retrospectively analysed the dose area products for 50 consecutive patients undergoing arthroscopic hip surgery by an experienced hip arthroscopic surgeon. The effective dose and organ dose were derived using a Monte Carlo program. Results The mean total fluoroscopy time was 1.10 minutes and the mean dose area product value was 297.2 cGycm 2 . We calculated the entrance skin dose to be 52 mGy to the area where the beam was targeted (81 cm 2 ). The mean effective dose for intra-operative fluoroscopy was 0.33 mSv, with a SD of 0.90 Sv. Conclusion This study confirms that fluoroscopic-assisted arthroscopic surgery of the hip is safe with a low maximum radiation dose and supports its continued use in preference to alternative imaging modalities.

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