Common Symptoms That Could Signal Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a common musculoskeletal abnormality that typically affects infants and children. However, it can also affect adults, increasing the risk of other health problems, like arthritis.

At North Valley Orthopedic Institute in Mission Hills and Tarzana, California, Dr. Ramin Ganjianpour provides high-quality care for hip dysplasia. This blog explains hip dysplasia and highlights common symptoms to watch for.

What’s hip dysplasia?

Hip dysplasia is a musculoskeletal problem when the bones in your hip joint don’t fit properly. With infants and children, the condition is often called developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). 

A healthy hip joint connects the thigh bone (femur) to the hip bone (pelvis). With hip dysplasia, your femur doesn’t fit into your pelvis correctly. That can damage the cartilage surrounding the hip joint and increase the risk of other joint problems. 

4 telltale symptoms of hip dysplasia

Hip problems occur for various reasons, but specific symptoms can help determine if the underlying cause is hip dysplasia. These signs include:

1. Pain at the front of the groin

Hip dysplasia pain often affects the front of the hip, near the groin. The soft cartilage (labrum) lining the hip joint is more likely to suffer damage in this area when the joint is shallow or unstable. 

Hip dysplasia pain is usually sharp and stabbing and often occurs alongside other symptoms, like clicking or popping noises. Many people notice the pain worsens during physical activity, such as walking or exercising.

2. The sensation your hip is loose or unstable

If you have hip dysplasia, your femur and pelvis don’t fit together snugly. Since the hip socket is too shallow, the femoral head (top of the femur) tends to move around more freely than in a healthy hip joint. 

Many people with hip dysplasia also have loose ligaments surrounding their hips, increasing the sensation of instability.

3. Different leg lengths

When hip dysplasia is diagnosed during infancy or childhood, the length of each leg is often different. This leg length difference (LLD) is most noticeable during growth spurts and is more common in children who undergo hip surgery.

LLD, however, can also affect patients who manage hip dysplasia nonsurgically.

In adults, LLD may not be obvious visually. Telltale signs include walking problems, poor posture, and pain extending from the hips into the legs and back.

4. Pain during sleep

Many people with hip dysplasia notice their symptoms worsen when they lie on their affected hip. Once again, this pain can be attributed to the labrum (the cartilage that lines the hip).

Because hip dysplasia causes labrum inflammation, lying on your affected hip exacerbates those symptoms, making it difficult to get a restful night’s sleep.

We can help you manage hip dysplasia

If you’re experiencing symptoms of hip dysplasia, don’t wait to seek treatment. The sooner you take action, the less likely you experience lasting cartilage and joint damage.

Call North Valley Orthopedic Institute today if you’re concerned about your risk of hip dysplasia, or request an appointment online.