Surgical treatment for young adult hip dysplasia: joint-preserving options

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a spectrum of disorders that results in anatomic abnormalities leading to increased contact stress in the joint and, eventually, secondary osteoarthritis. However, many patients with DDH become symptomatic before the severe degenerative changes of the hip because of abnormal hip biomechanics, mild hip instability, impingement, or associated intra-articular pathology. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment for DDH are of the utmost importance. With the modification of techniques like pelvic osteotomy and capsular arthroplasty, and the introduction of intracapsular procedures such as arthroscopy and femoral head-neck junction osteochondroplasty, many young patients with symptomatic hip dysplasia may benefit from joint preservation procedures. We review the current development of these concepts and the associated surgical techniques.