Acetabular Dysplasia

Also known as: hip dysplasia.

What is acetabular dysplasia?

Acetabular dysplasia is more commonly known as hip dysplasia. It refers to a hip socket that is shallow and doesn’t fully cover the ball of the femur (hip). The result is excessive mobility or stress on the hip joint that can cause pain.

What causes acetabular dysplasia?

In some cases, childhood hip dysplasia can lead to acetabular dysplasia in adolescents and young adults. Other times, acetabular dysplasia may develop as a child grows without having had hip dysplasia as an infant. The disease tends to run in families.

What are the symptoms of acetabular dysplasia?

Pain in the groin or thigh is the main symptom of acetabular dysplasia. It typically occurs with prolonged walking or running. Snapping of the hip can also occur with acetabular dysplasia.

What are acetabular dysplasia care options?

Physical therapy can help reduce some of the muscle pain associated with acetabular dysplasia. Surgery to reposition hip socket (periacetabular osteotomy) is the primary treatment for acetabular dysplasia in adolescents and young adults.


Reviewed by: Kevin S Horowitz, MD

This page was last updated on: October 14, 2020 12:21 PM