At Orthoca, we are committed to specialized treatments within orthopedic surgery. We spoke with Dr. Jeroen Verhaegen, an expert in hip problems in young adults. He recently treated a 30-year-old woman who had been dealing with severe hip pain since childhood. She was eventually diagnosed with hip dysplasia, which led to successful treatment and significant improvement in her hip function. The procedure allowed her to completely phase out her pain medication, including opioids.
Dr. Verhaegen, tell us: what is hip dysplasia?
“Hip dysplasia is a condition in which the hip socket does not adequately cover the hip head, which can lead to instability and eventual damage to the joint. The problem is that this condition often goes undetected early.
Many patients live for years with hip complaints without a clear diagnosis, which can worsen their symptoms. Awareness among other healthcare providers is crucial, as the sooner it is diagnosed, the better the treatment can be tailored to potentially avoid surgery.”
Why is hip dysplasia often recognized late?
“The symptoms of hip dysplasia can be vague, which often leads to confusion with other hip issues. This sometimes results in focusing on secondary pain causes, such as labrum injuries, muscle strain, or lower back problems, without addressing the underlying stability issue of the hip. In some cases, this can lead to unnecessary surgery for the patient.”
What did the treatment of your patient look like?
“This patient had already undergone two keyhole surgeries in the past, with no lasting results. She continued to have pain symptoms even despite intensive physical therapy. During the first consultation at Orthoca in November 2023, I diagnosed hip dysplasia, which had been previously overlooked. We began nonoperative treatment, focusing on exercise therapy and injections, to reduce pain.
Unfortunately, after several months, the improvement was insufficient, so we decided to perform a periacetabular osteotomy (PAO). This surgery repositions the hip socket to reduce pressure on the labrum and cartilage and improve joint stability.”
Is surgery always necessary for hip dysplasia?
“No, certainly not. While surgery is sometimes required, the right physiotherapy is often enough to alleviate symptoms in many cases. Our goal is always to start with the least invasive treatment option, especially in young patients. In this case, we saw improvement after six months, but the full result will only be known a year after the surgery.”
How is the patient doing now?
“The patient has undergone a three-month rehabilitation period, during which she was not allowed to put full weight on the leg but is now building up with physiotherapy without crutches. An important benefit is that she was able to stop taking strong pain medications like opioids.”
What message would you like to pass along to colleagues in the medical community?
“It is important for general practitioners, physiotherapists and orthopedists to be aware of the symptoms of hip dysplasia. This is not a rare condition; and is more common than people think. About half of patients who need hip replacement before age 50 have underlying features of hip dysplasia. Early diagnosis can make a world of difference to improve quality of life and help prevent surgery.”
Interested in learning more about Dr. Jeroen Verhaegen and his expertise or looking for consultation opportunities? Visit his profile page to learn more about his specialties and consultation hours: Dr. Jeroen Verhaegen – Orthoca