Hip dysplasia means the hip socket is too shallow to fully cover and support the ball of the joint. In adults it can cause groin pain, instability, and early arthritis. Dr. Presley Swann diagnoses dysplasia with a focused exam and imaging, then reviews whether hip preservation surgery can protect the joint and reduce the chance of those problems developing later.
The Problem
Many adults with hip dysplasia were never told they had it. The first sign is often groin or side-of-hip pain that gets worse with walking, standing, or sport, sometimes with a limp or a feeling that the hip might give way. Sometimes it shows up as a sharp, catching pain, or the feeling of the hip getting “stuck.” It is common to be told the pain is a muscle strain or overactivity for years before the real cause is found. Because dysplasia can wear the joint down early, getting the right diagnosis matters.
How Dr. Swann Approaches It
Dysplasia is a problem of hip shape: a socket that does not cover the ball enough, so force concentrates on a small area, causing the hip’s natural ball and socket joint to become unstable and damage cartilage or the labrum over time. Dr. Swann confirms the diagnosis with an exam and imaging that measures how the socket is positioned, and specifically what the angle of your hip socket is. When the joint is still healthy enough, the main treatment is a periacetabular osteotomy (PAO), also known as a Ganz osteotomy or a hip dysplasia PAO, surgery that repositions the socket to cover the ball properly and spread load across the joint. When arthritis is already advanced, a hip replacement may be the better answer. Modern hip replacements have come a long way and can do very well for the right patient. Dr. Swann reviews which path fits your hip before anything is scheduled.
Why Patients Trust This Practice
- Board-certified orthopedic surgeon. Dual fellowship at the University of Utah covering both hip preservation and joint replacement, following residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.
- A nationally known teaching surgeon in the hip preservation and joint replacement world, and founder of a Hip and Knee Fellowship that trained other surgeons.
- Over 1,200 periacetabular osteotomies performed since completing fellowship.
- Patients travel to be treated here: 20 to 30 percent of the practice comes from out of state.
- Dysplasia is frequently missed. Seeing a surgeon who treats it specifically matters.
- Care is individual: the recommendation follows your hip, not a template.
- Serving the Denver metro area from our Englewood office, 799 E Hampden Ave Ste 400, Englewood, CO 80113.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes adult hip dysplasia?
Dysplasia is usually something you are born with: the socket develops too shallow. Many people have no problems until adulthood, when the extra stress on the joint starts to cause pain. It is not caused by activity or injury, though those can make an existing dysplastic hip hurt more.
How is hip dysplasia diagnosed?
With an exam and imaging. X-rays show the shape and coverage of the socket, and an MRI can show cartilage and the labrum. Dr. Swann uses these to confirm dysplasia and to see how much wear is already present.
What is a PAO (periacetabular osteotomy)?
It is the main surgery for symptomatic dysplasia when the joint is still healthy. The surgeon repositions the socket so it covers the ball properly, which spreads load more evenly across the joint. A PAO is also known as a Ganz osteotomy. For more detail, you can read Dr. Swann’s own Patient’s Guide to Hip Scope and PAO.
Can hip dysplasia be treated without surgery?
Physical therapy and activity changes may reduce and manage some symptoms, but they do not address the underlying anatomy that is causing the symptoms in the first place. Whether non-surgical care is enough depends on your symptoms and how much the shape is affecting the joint. Dr. Swann will review the options with you.
What risks does PAO surgery have?
Like any surgery, a PAO carries risks, and it is not the right choice for everyone. Before anything is scheduled, Dr. Swann reviews the benefits and the risks with you for your specific situation so you can make an informed decision.
Will treating dysplasia prevent arthritis or a future hip replacement?
Correcting dysplasia aims to protect the joint and slow or reduce the chance of early arthritis. It cannot guarantee you will never develop arthritis or need a replacement; that depends on how much wear is already present and on your individual hip. Dr. Swann will give you a realistic picture.
Is hip dysplasia the same as a labral tear?
No, but they often go together. A shallow socket puts extra strain on the labrum, so a labral tear can be a sign of underlying dysplasia. Treating only the tear without addressing the dysplasia may not solve the problem, which is why the full evaluation matters.
What is recovery from PAO like?
Recovery from a PAO takes time and usually involves a period on crutches followed by physical therapy. In general, patients return to weight bearing as tolerated somewhere between 6 and 12 weeks, depending on what was done. Dr. Swann will walk you through the expected timeline for your situation before anything is scheduled.
Call to Action
Concerned your hip pain might be dysplasia?
Schedule an evaluation with Dr. Presley Swann for a clear diagnosis and a plan built around your hip.
Call 720-475-3355 · Text 720-445-6836
The information on this page is for general education and is not medical advice. Every hip is different. For guidance about your own hip, please schedule an evaluation with Dr. Swann.