What is Hip Dysplasia?

Hip dysplasia is a shallow socket or abnormal coverage of the femoral head that reduces stability and increases stress on the labrum and cartilage.

Babies are screened at birth, though some cases are missed and present in adolescence or adulthood with activity-related pain and labral symptoms.

Management ranges from rehabilitation to improve control to surgery to restore coverage.

What Happens When It Occurs?

Insufficient coverage increases shear forces and labral load. Over time, this can lead to labral tears and early joint wear if unaddressed.

Common Causes and Risk Factors

  • Breech position at birth and family history
  • Ligament laxity and female sex
  • High-demand activities that stress rotation and impact

Who is Most Affected?

  • Adolescents and young adults with activity-related groin pain
  • Individuals with a history of infant risk factors

Typical Symptoms

  • Groin pain with running, cutting, and prolonged sitting
  • Clicking or catching from labral stress
  • Feelings of instability with deep flexion or pivoting

When to Seek Care

Seek assessment when groin pain persists or instability sensations occur. Early planning helps protect cartilage and the labrum.

How We Diagnose

  • Examination to identify instability signs and labral provocation
  • X-rays to define socket depth and coverage
  • MRI to assess labrum and cartilage

Management

  • Activity modification and strengthening of hip rotators and abductors
  • Education on safe depth and rotation limits during rehabilitation
  • Periacetabular osteotomy in selected cases to restore coverage
  • Arthroscopy to address labral tears when appropriate

Rehabilitation Milestones

  • Phase 1 (Weeks 0–4): Pain control, neutral range, trunk and hip control
  • Phase 2 (Weeks 4–12): Heavy slow strength for abductors and rotators, gait and running drills within safe arcs
  • Phase 3 (Months 3–6): Graded return to running, cutting, and sport tasks
  • Post-surgery: Longer criteria-based progression coordinated with the surgical team

Readiness to Progress

  • Instability sensations resolved
  • Rotation strength within 90% of the other side
  • Ability to run and cut without next-day symptoms

Prevention

  • Newborn screening identifies many cases
  • Early assessment of persistent groin pain in adolescents and adults reduces risk to the labrum and cartilage

Australia Snapshot

  • Infant screening is routine across maternity services
  • Adolescents and adults present through primary care and sports clinics
  • Females present more often than males

Latest Insights

  • Protect the labrum by managing depth and rotation while improving strength and control
  • Surgical options are effective when structural coverage is insufficient

Frequently Asked Questions

Many improve with activity change and strength. Structural under-coverage sometimes needs surgery to restore stability.

Heavy slow strength for abductors and rotators, trunk control, and technique work for running and cutting.

X-rays define coverage. MRI is used when labral injury is suspected.

Yes with adjusted depth and rotation and close monitoring of next-day symptoms. Build distance gradually.

Clicking with pain suggests labral stress and should be assessed.

When instability sensations are gone, strength is within 90 percent, and sport drills are pain-free during and the next day.

Usually continue with posture changes and breaks from deep flexion.