Hip Dysplasia

In hip dysplasia, the hip socket is too shallow and doesn’t fully support the ball. This makes the hip less stable.When the bones don’t give enough support, the muscles around the hip have to work harder to keep the joint steady. Over time, these muscles can get tired, sore, and weak because they don’t get a chance to rest. People often feel a dull, achy pain in the side, front, or back of the hip—especially when walking, running, sitting, or standing for long periods.

If the hip joint isn’t lined up properly, extra pressure can build up on the cartilage and labrum (soft tissues that cushion the joint). This can lead to tears, softening of the cartilage, and sharp groin pain during activity.

Over time, these problems can cause hip arthritis. The more severe the dysplasia, the earlier arthritis can begin. In serious cases, it may start as early as the teenage years or twenties.

Most adults with hip dysplasia weren’t diagnosed as children and don’t notice symptoms until they’re older. Mild cases may not cause pain, depending on a person’s activity level, muscle strength, and genetics. Because of this, it’s hard to know exactly how common hip dysplasia is in adults in the USA.

What are symptoms of hip dysplasia?

  • dull, achy pain on the side, front or back of hip

  • pain that increases with walking, running, or standing too long

  • limping or difficulty with exercise

  • hip popping or feeling of instability

Treatment

Treatment for hip dysplasia depends on several things, including how bad the symptoms are, how healthy the hip joint is, and the patient’s age.

Strengthening the muscles around the hip can help reduce pain for some people. Strong muscles can support the joint better, but they cannot change the shape of the hip. The only way to correct the structure of the hip is through surgery.

Hip preservation surgery is designed to improve how the hip works. By putting the hip joint in a better position, surgery can improve movement, reduce pain, and help protect the joint. This can delay or even prevent early arthritis and lower the chances of needing a hip replacement later in life.

Surgical treatment for hip instability caused by a shallow hip socket often involves a surgery called a periacetabular osteotomy (PAO).

In this procedure, the surgeon carefully cuts the bone around the hip socket and then rotates the socket into a better position. This allows the socket to cover and support the femoral head more fully, which helps stabilize the hip and protect it from further damage.