About Hip Dysplasia

In acetabular dysplasia the hip socket is poorly developed, resulting in a socket that is shallow and shaped like a saucer, rather than a cup. The top of the socket is obliquely inclined, and incompletely covers the ball. This results in abnormally high stress on the outer edge of the socket (also called acetabulum) and leads to early damage to the acetabular articular cartilage (white substance on the end of a chicken bone) or the adjacent acetabular labrum. The labrum is a soft tissue bumper that attaches to the rim of the socket. Once this damage occurs, people often begin experiencing hip pain.

Most people with acetabular dysplasia do not have hip pain during childhood, but many develop pain during adolescence and early adulthood. The pain is typically dull and achy and may be in the groin, side of hip or buttock. Occasionally patients will feel sharp catching pain along with the aching pain.

A hip dysplasia diagnosis is confirmed with an x-ray. An MRI or MRI arthrogram (MRI with dye placed in the hip joint) can assess the condition of the joint cartilage and labrum.

Help is available if you have hip dysplasia — learn more about your treatment options.

To learn more about hip dysplasia, visit the International Hip Dysplasia Institute.

I was 34 years old, in the best physical shape of my life. As a law enforcement officer, I was used to exercising everyday, never once thinking about what it would mean if my normal daily living was altered. While on duty, I suffered what would be a serious injury to my left hip. I was seen by several doctors who recommended me to another doctor back home (all the other doctors thought my injury was too complicated for them to fix). This doctor attempted to fix my hip, but on the operating table he realized my injuries were to severe for him to fix. He backed out and recommended Dr. Thomas Ellis. I was advised that Dr. Ellis was the doctor who could fix me.

From the very first, I could see why Dr. Ellis was thought of in such high regard. He was very professional and knowledgeable about complicated hip conditions. It would be easy to end there with my testimonial, but that would not due justice to my story and the blessing of Dr. Ellis.

Dr. Ellis performed what would be my first successful hip surgery. I was seen by him and another doctor afterwards, both giving me a great prognosis report, unfortunately I fell 10 days after surgery, causing all kinds of complications.

Dr. Ellis went above and beyond to repair my hip trying to get me back to a normal life where I could enjoy my normal daily activities, which include caring for my toddler, son after my fall. I have had my hip replaced as a result of my complications from a fall. I was lucky to have him perform this surgery as well.

He answers all questions and provides you with detailed timetables and expectations you can have after surgery. But this is just the tip of the iceberg, as Dr. Ellis has provided care to me I have never known by a doctor. As a result of my life being altered so much from my injuries I have developed some severe depression and anxiety. Dr. Ellis has been there every step of the way caring about my physical and mental well-being. He helped refer me to see someone who could help me deal with the emotional aspect of my injury in addition to asking me how I am mentally doing every time I go to his office. I share this to give readers a perspective of his bedside manner.

This caring atmosphere is not only shared by Dr. Ellis though. The entire staff shows the same professionalism and caring to each of their patients. I have never had a bad experience or interaction with anyone at Orthopedic ONE.

If you are nervous or scared about your future due to injury, Dr. Ellis and the staff at Orthopedic ONE are the ones you want go with!

Dusty Hughes

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My husband and I married in 2016 with a bucket list of traveling and hiking plans. Shortly after our honeymoon, I started to experience pain in my left hip. The pain eventually became so bad that I was not able to walk through the grocery store. After trying physical therapy and a few other doctors, I was finally referred to Dr. Ellis and in July of 2017, he diagnosed me with Hip Dysplasia in both hips, but it was worse in my left. I underwent my left PAO and labrum repair surgery in November 2017. I was finally recovered and feeling ready for physical activity again by the summer of 2018, but I was starting to feel the same pain that I had felt in my left hip, in my right hip. In the spring of 2019, I decided to see Dr. Ellis about my right hip and I scheduled my right hip PAO and labrum repair in June. This recovery was much easier and I was cleared to start running by November of 2019! Finally I was healthy and my husband and I decided to book our first hike, to Patagonia.On March 9, 2020, we started an 8 day, 80 mile, backpacking trip through Torres del Paine. We saw mountains, glaciers, forests covered in moss, drank glacier water, and loved every second of it! Once we finished our hike through Torres del Paine, we were supposed to go to Argentina to hike more, but unfortunately with Covid-19, we were not able to make it into the country and had to cut our trip short. But most importantly, I was able to make it through the whole hike through Torres del Paine with no hip pain! Thank you so much Dr. Ellis and his team for everything you have done for me! My husband and I are already planning our next hike and we wouldn't be able to do any this without you!

Andrea Walker

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