The usual symptom is pain in the groin or the side of the hip with activity, a sense of fatigue or instability, and sometimes clicking. It is diagnosed with specific radiographs that measure acetabular coverage, complemented by MRI.
Treatment depends on severity and on the state of the cartilage. In young patients with healthy cartilage, periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) reorients the acetabulum so that it covers the femoral head better, redistributes load and can preserve the native hip for decades. Where arthritis is already advanced, replacement is the better option.
Dr. Kushner’s approach: dysplasia is a problem of the socket, not just of pain. Correcting coverage in time, in the right hip, completely changes the long-term outlook.
When to seek care without waiting
- Pain that comes on suddenly and stops you bearing weight, especially after a stumble or a fall.
- Fever with a hot, swollen, very painful hip: joint infection must be ruled out.
- Night pain that does not settle at rest and worsens week after week.
- Unexplained weight loss, or a history of cancer.
- Numbness or tingling running down the leg, or weakness that is getting worse.
Frequently asked questions
Is dysplasia only a baby’s problem?
No. Mild forms reach young adulthood and are a frequent cause of hip pain and early arthritis.
Can a replacement be avoided?
In many young patients, correcting coverage with a PAO preserves the native hip for many years.
Isn’t this a condition of infancy?
It originates in development, but many mild cases go unnoticed and only declare themselves in young adults, with groin pain and a sense of instability. It is a frequent cause of early arthritis.
What is a periacetabular osteotomy?
An operation that reorients the acetabulum so it covers the femoral head better and spreads the load. It is considered in young patients with symptomatic dysplasia and preserved cartilage.
Is arthroscopy alone enough?
In a dysplastic hip, treating only the labrum without correcting the lack of coverage can worsen instability. That is why dysplasia must be identified before any arthroscopy is indicated.
References
- Tan JHI, et al. Hip survivorship following the Bernese periacetabular osteotomy for acetabular dysplasia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Orthop Traumatol Surg Res. 2022;108(4):103283. DOI
Book your assessment
Book a consultation with Dr. Kushner at COMEDSA. Bring any previous imaging for a complete assessment.
Educational information reviewed by Dr. Michael Kushner Shrem. It does not replace an in-person medical assessment.