With general anesthesia the patient is put into a condition similar to deep sleep and has no awareness of pain. Sedation administered prior to the operation helps to relax the patient.

General anesthesia is the anesthesia of choice for hip arthroscopy as it also ensures maximum muscle relaxation. This causes the intra-articular space to widen considerably, enabling arthroscopy instruments to be introduced gently into the joint without damaging the cartilage.