Current Clinical Concepts: Assessment and Management of Acetabular Dysplasia

Acetabular dysplasia, a nonarthritic hip joint pain condition in active young and middle-aged adults, is distinct from femoroacetabular impingement syndrome. Despite increasing clinical recognition of acetabular dysplasia over the past decade, it remains a challenging orthopaedic condition for athletic trainers to manage due to the complexities of diagnosis, concurrent psychological implications, and overlap with other hip and spine pathologies. Acetabular dysplasia is more prevalent in females and is diagnosed primarily through clinical presentation and radiographic evidence. Altered femoral morphology and soft tissue pathology commonly co-occur. The primary symptoms include anterior, groin, and potentially lateral hip pain exacerbated by movement and prolonged positioning. Individuals with mild acetabular dysplasia typically benefit more from nonsurgical rehabilitation, while severe cases often require surgical modification, such as periacetabular osteotomy, to reduce pain and risk of osteoarthritis. When treating athletes with hip pain, especially females, athletic trainers should consider acetabular dysplasia in their differential diagnosis, as early identification and intervention are beneficial for preservation of the natural hip joint.