Subclinical developmental dysplasia of the hip could predispose to femoroacetabular impingement

Abstract

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) and femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) are separate causes of premature osteoarthritis. There is a paucity of literature describing potential ways in which an individual can be predisposed to FAI. This hypothesis aims to outline how subclinical DDH may predispose a patient to FAI. In DDH the acetabular malformation of the hip joint alters the weight distribution superiorly in the loading axis. In accordance with Wolff's Law, we propose that this change in loading may result in the formation of protrusions on either the acetabular rim or femoral head and neck, predisposing to impingement of the hip during to certain movements and consequently, FAI. Should this hypothesis be proven it would help to reduce the incidence FAI by aiding the understanding of disease aetiology.