Hip Dysplasia Treatment Options

Can hip dysplasia be treated without surgery?

Some people live active lives, never knowing they have hip dysplasia and don’t have any hip pain. By the time symptoms develop, there is usually some damage to the hip labrum and with repeated use, the damage may progress. In mild to moderate cases, hip dysplasia pain can initially be treated without surgery.

Non-operative treatment of hip dysplasia involves a change in activities to avoid movements that cause hip pain, including taking time off from activities that cause hip pain, using over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications to reduce pain and inflammation, and physical therapy. Typically, symptoms will resolve within several weeks of conservative, non-surgical treatment. A steroid injection can also help relieve hip pain. If your hip pain and any instability are resolved with non-operative treatment and you are able to return to your desired level of activity, then no hip dysplasia surgery is needed.

What are the surgical options for hip dysplasia?

When nonsurgical hip dysplasia treatments do not relieve hip pain and imaging confirms hip dysplasia with an associated hip labral tear, hip surgery is a reasonable option.

Typically, the surgical treatment for hip dysplasia with an associated labral tear includes a 2-stage procedure. Initially, a minimally invasive procedure called hip arthroscopy is performed. Hip labral surgery is usually an outpatient procedure, and you will go home the same day. During your hip labral surgery, Dr. Chahla will repair the labral tear and remove any abnormal bone growth causing hip impingement. On rare occasions, more commonly associated with revision hip surgery, a labral reconstruction may be indicated. Surgery typically lasts about 1-2 hours. Hip surgery is customized for each patient based off each patient’s unique hip anatomy and hip condition.

About 10-14 days following the hip arthroscopy with Dr. Chahla, an osteotomy procedure is performed. Periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) is the term used for an osteotomy of the hip socket most used for this condition. PAO surgery involves removing a segment of bone from the hip socket and positioning it in a location that will better support the femoral head during walking and activities of daily living. The bone is secured in place with screws until the bone fully heals.

How long is the recovery after hip dysplasia surgery?

The recovery time after hip surgery with labral repair can vary depending on several factors, including the extent of the surgery, individual patient characteristics, and the level of activity that the patient is striving to return to. When paired with a PAO,  it takes about 2 months after PAO surgery for the patient to be able to fully weight bear on the operated hip. Full recovery following hip dysplasia surgery is typically around 7-9 months.