The foundation for lifelong mobility is built during the high-impact years of adolescence. As teenagers navigate growth spurts and competitive sports, lingering "growing pains" can sometimes mask serious orthopedic conditions that require expert attention. Learning to spot these hidden cues allows you to safeguard your child’s active lifestyle for years to come.
Is it Growing Pains or Adolescent Hip Pathology?
It is common to dismiss leg discomfort as a natural byproduct of a growth spurt. While occasional muscle soreness is normal, true hip pathology rarely resolves on its own. In adolescents, the hip joint is undergoing significant remodeling. Conditions like Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (SCFE) or Femoral Acetabular Impingement (FAI) can manifest as subtle aches before progressing to permanent joint damage. If your child’s pain lasts longer than two weeks or occurs without a specific injury, it warrants a professional evaluation.
Red Flags of Teen Hip Problems Parents Should Watch For
Identifying hip issues early requires looking beyond the joint itself. Parents should stay vigilant for these three red flags:
- Changes in Gait or Limping: A subtle limp, especially one that appears only after sports or at the end of a long school day, is a primary indicator of joint stress.
- Reduced Range of Motion: If your teenager suddenly struggles to tie their shoes, sit cross-legged, or perform standard athletic movements they once mastered, the hip joint may be restricted by structural changes.
- Referred Pain in the Knee: Hip issues in teens may "mask" themselves as knee pain. If a coach notices your child favoring a leg due to unexplained knee soreness, a hip screening is necessary to rule out referred pain originating from the joint above.
Minimally Invasive Hip Preservation
Adolescents have a unique advantage: their bones are still adaptable. By diagnosing issues like hip dysplasia or impingement during the teenage years, we can often utilize minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques to reshape the joint. This proactive approach not only eliminates current symptoms but also significantly reduces the long-term risk of developing premature osteoarthritis or requiring a hip replacement in their 30s or 40s.
Long-Term Strategies for Youth Athlete Hip Health
Active teens should be encouraged to listen to their bodies. "Pushing through the pain" is a dangerous idea when it comes to the hip’s labrum and cartilage. Ensuring proper mechanics, adequate rest, and immediate screening for persistent discomfort are the best ways to keep them on the field and out of surgery later in life.
If your child is experiencing persistent hip or knee discomfort, book a consultation to proactively manage their orthopedic development and ensure your child stays mobile and active.
AUTHOR: Benjamin D. Kuhns, MD, MS, is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in the comprehensive management of adult hip pain. Dr. Kuhns offers a full spectrum of care, from non-operative treatments—including hip-specific physical therapy, medication management, and targeted injections—to advanced surgical solutions. His surgical expertise includes complex primary and revision hip arthroscopy, open hip preservation procedures such as periacetabular and proximal femoral osteotomies, and robotic-assisted anterior total hip replacement.
AUTHOR: Mark F. Schinsky, MD, is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in adult reconstructive surgery, with a focus on hip and knee replacement. He has extensive expertise in minimally invasive techniques, complex primary procedures, and revision total joint replacements, using the latest surgical technologies and biologics to improve outcomes and recovery.