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.

After my surgeries, I have achieved so many great things academically and in athletics. In March 2024, I competed at NDA High School Nationals just two months after getting eight screws removed from my hips and five months after my second PAO surgery. My team placed second and third in the nation. In April 2024, I started my fourth season on my high schools varsity dance team, as well as my third year as varsity captain. In July 2024, around 9 months after my second surgery, I was named to the NDA All-American team and awarded my second NDA Excellence in Leadership Award. In August 2024, I was a year out from my first surgery and was dancing almost at my full potential again. In February 2025, I led my team to a fourth place finish in both the AAA pom and AAA kick categories at IHSDTA State Finals, while also being named to the Academic All-State team and receiving 1 of 5 IHSDTA Scholarships. The next weekend, I competed at Solo State Finals and placed in the top 10 out of over 60 senior soloists in the state of Indiana. I will be attending Butler University in the fall to major in Psychology with a minor in Sports Coaching, with the hopes of being a Sports Performance Psychologist. I will also be trying out for the nationally ranked Butler Dance Team in just over a month. None of these great accomplishments would have ever been possible without the help of Dr. Ellis and the Orthopedic ONE staff. I am so grateful for all of the guidance they have given me throughout my journey both before and after my surgeries.

Emily Rich

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After many years of right hip pain, I noticed a decline in my mobility when I began falling while performing everyday activities like mowing the grass or going on a walk. My doctor recommended physical therapy, which did not help. I then sought the advice of an orthopedic specialist who gave me a cortisone injection. Unfortunately, this did not provide any relief either. Eventually, I ended up having an MRI to examine my hip and was told that a full tear in my gluteus minimus had been the source of my pain for all these years! The orthopedic specialist advised that the tear could not be fixed and that I would need to rely on a cane for the rest of my life. At 62 years old, this was not an acceptable answer to me, so I scheduled an appointment with Dr. Thomas Ellis at Orthopedic ONE for a second opinion. After a successful surgical repair on Feb 13, 2017, my recovery is right on schedule according to Dr Ellis, Tiffany his Physician Assistant and Dave Kohlrieser my Physical Therapist. After years of restless nights, I can now sleep soundly without pain. In addition to my physical therapy sessions, walking in the pool at the Grove City YMCA has been a great way to build strength in my leg. I hope to give up my cane within the next few weeks and ride my bicycle by the end of the summer!

Thanks to Dr Ellis and the staff at Orthopedic ONE for giving me my active life back!!

Monica Walter

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