When is total hip replacement recommended for hip dysplasia?

Hip dysplasia means the socket and ball have not formed or aligned normally. Uneven loading can damage cartilage and change the shape of the joint over time. Replacement is considered according to symptoms and structural damage, not the diagnosis alone.

Assessment may include walking pattern, hip range of motion, leg-length difference, muscle strength, prior operations, and X-rays or other imaging. Dysplasia can leave a shallow socket or unusual bone shape, so planning may involve special implants or bone preparation. The surgeon matches the reconstruction to the available bone and the way the hip functions.

Book an orthopaedic review when pain, stiffness, limping, or reduced walking distance continues despite appropriate non-surgical care. Keep a record of activities that trigger symptoms and any prior hip treatment. Ask about physiotherapy, walking aids, and medication options while the decision is being made.

See [Total Hip Replacement](/treatments/joint-replacement/total-hip-replacement/) for an overview of the procedure.

Seek urgent assessment after a fall if you cannot bear weight, or if hip pain comes with a visibly shortened or rotated leg. Fever with a hot swollen joint, sudden severe pain, or new numbness or weakness also needs prompt medical review.

Ask how much cartilage and bone have been affected, whether the socket requires special reconstruction, how leg length will be assessed, which approach fits your anatomy, and what movement and strengthening plan follows surgery.