Children on sports teams are playing harder and longer than ever, and that makes them vulnerable to injuries.
Now there's a less invasive approach than surgery that's helping injured hips recover more quickly.
15-year-old Melissa Mappe plays on two local soccer teams, but lately she's been sidelined with an injury that now needs surgical repair.
While female soccer players are prone to getting knee injuries, hips are also getting hurt.
Hip arthoscropy is now being used on young patients like Melissa to treat tears in the tissue around the hip, which doctors call the "labrum".
Doctors say they are making two-to-three small incisions in the area, putting cameras inside their joints, and being careful not to dissect the muscles.
Children under 18 have the same incidence of complications that an adult would have during hip arthroscopy, so it's a safe and effective procedure.
After surgery, Melissa will need physical therapy, but she should be back on the playing field in about three months.