Dysplasia
The hip is a ball (femoral head) and socket (acetabulum) joint. Hip dysplasia is a congenital condition in which the acetabulum (hip socket) is shallow. A congenital condition is a condition that a person has had from birth. Hip dysplasia creates under-coverage of the femoral head, meaning the hip socket is not completely covering the head of the femur. The weight-bearing portion of the hip bears too much weight, as it is increasingly focused on a small area.
Dysplasia can lead to hip instability, labral damage, and early-onset arthritis. Patients with untreated dysplasia may be at an increased requirement of a hip replacement early in life.
Causes
Dysplasia is a developmental condition that may be caused by:
- Injury in utero or during early childhood
- Infection during in utero or during early childhood
- Position in the uterus
Hip dysplasia is more often found in the patients who are...
- Females
- First-born
- Large birth weight
- Breech position
- Family history of developmental dysplasia of the hip
Symptoms
A person who has hip dysplasia might experience the below symptoms:
- Constant, achy pain
- Intermittent catching or locking
- Groin pain
- Buttock pain
- Difficulty walking
- Instability
- Extreme flexibility
Diagnosis
Diagnosing hip dysplasia includes a physical examination, diagnostic imaging, and a detailed medical history:
- X-Rays: Using X-rays, your provider can check for abnormalities in the bones of your hip that might indicate hip dysplasia.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): This imaging test can be used to evaluate the condition of the cartilage and bone that composes the hip joint.
- Physical Examination: Various physical examination maneuvers can test range of motion, joint stability, and pain with specific tests.
- Medical History: Our certified medical practitioners will also inquire about your medical history, including lifestyle, previous surgeries, and current symptoms.
Treatment Options
Treatments for hip dysplasia varies depending on the severity of the condition, the patient's symptoms, and individual needs and preferences.
- Activity Modification and Rest: Doctors may recommend avoiding certain activities and opting for rest to help reduce symptoms.
- Physical Therapy: Physical therapy can help improve your range of motion and strengthen the muscles supporting your hip joint.
- Medications: Anti-inflammatory medications can help reduce the pain and inflammation.
In the case where conservative treatments fail, some patients might need surgery to correct the dysplasia, fix any cartilage damage, and to regain function in the joint.
Surgical Options
Mild dysplasia can often be surgically treated by performing a hip arthroscopy. In this surgery, your orthopedic surgeon will use medical instrument with a small camera to look in your joint, repair any damage inside of the joint, and tighten the capsule around the joint.
Severe dysplasia can be treated with correction of the mechanical and bony deformity through a procedure called a peri-acetabular osteotomy (PAO). The American Hip Institute & Orthopedic Specialists are the top specialists in treating dysplasia with combined arthroscopy, to repair torn labrum arthroscopically, and a PAO, to correct the bony mechanical deformity. This procedure aims to treat both the bony deformity and the source of pain.