Main Features​​

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• Abnormal formation of one or both hip joints

• Affects the shape or alignment of the femoral head and/or the socket (acetabulum) to varying degrees

• Usually present at birth 

• More frequently seen in females

• Can lead to displacement of the hip joint to varying degrees

• If the socket is stable enough to keep the femoral head in place, the abnormality may go unnoticed until later in life and is commonly referred to as “acetabular dysplasia.”

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If hip dysplasia is diagnosed during childhood it may be referred to as “developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH).” 

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Signs and Symptoms

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• Hip or leg pain, which may be chronic or triggered by injury

• Left untreated, joint degeneration and deformity may develop

• Evidence of previous growth disturbances

• Interruption of blood supply to femoral head (Avascular Necrosis, AVN)

• Residual deformity of the acetabulum or socket

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​Diagnosis

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Reaching a formal diagnosis could involve:

• X-rays 

• MRI 

• CT 

• Exploratory arthroscopy (during which some treatment may also be performed). 

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Treatment 

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This may include any of the following either in isolation or in combination:

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• Physiotherapy - focusing on activity modification, pain management, posture improvement, and exercises to address muscle weakness or imbalance. 

• Weight management

• Nutritional advice

• Smoking cessation

• General lifestyle modifications

• Interventional radiology techniques, such as an image-guided local anaesthetic or corticosteroid injection around the hip joint

• Surgery - hip preservation surgery which would aim to restore hip alignment, allowing patients to remain active and mobile while delaying joint degeneration, osteoarthritis, and potential joint replacement.  This could involve an osteotomy (pelvic or femoral). 

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If hip dysplasia is left untreated, early-onset osteoarthritis may develop. If this is severe, hip preservation surgery may no longer be suitable, and hip replacement could become necessary.

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Postoperatively

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Recovery depends on the type of surgery performed but is often long (6-12 months). There may be the need for immobilisation, and varying weightbearing and activity restrictions in accordance with the surgeon’s protocol. Sometimes later surgery is needed to remove metalwork. Physiotherapy starts immediately after surgery.