The specialist who saved Lleyton Hewitt's tennis career has started work with Geelong AFL star Steve Johnson.

The All-Australian forward was admitted on Friday to St Johns Hospital in Hobart, where hip expert Dr Michael Pritchard fixed Hewitt's joint 12 months ago.

Geelong have revealed that Johnson had an arthroscope and they are hopeful he will be ready for the finals starting next weekend.

"Johnson has been suffering from the injury since midway through the season and aggravated it further in the round-20 clash with Sydney," the club said in a statement.

"He will rehabilitate the injury with the aim to be available for the finals series."

The Cats desperately need Johnson fit and firing if they are to challenge for the premiership.

Club football manager Neil Balme said Johnson probably would not have made it through the finals series without the operation.

"Steve was hampered by the injury and it deteriorated after the game in Sydney," Balme said.

"The procedure will give Steve the best chance to return and play at the level that we are used to.

"Without the surgery it is unlikely he could have played through the finals as it had deteriorated to the point that he could not play without significant pain and restricted movement."

Geelong coach Mark Thompson says Johnson will need end-of-season surgery regardless.

Hewitt's manager David Drysdale on Friday said Pritchard worked on the tennis star's hip muscle tear in Hobart last August.

"The treatment has been nothing but a success," Drysdale said.

"If Lleyton hadn't had that done he would not have been able to continue to play."

Hewitt returned to competition in January, six months after Pritchard's treatment.

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