Is Young Adult Hip Pathology Under Reported - A Retrospective Radiographic Study

Description

The presentation, delivered by Ben Oakley, a trainee from the East Midlands Deanery, focuses on the radiographic diagnosis of hip pathology in young adults. He discusses a study conducted at the Royal Derby Hospital, where a young adult hip service has been established. The presentation highlights the case of a young woman who experienced left-sided hip pain and was misdiagnosed based on an outwardly normal X-ray. A closer examination revealed critical indicators of dysplasia and acetabular retroversion, showing the importance of accurate diagnosis to prevent early progression of arthritis that may necessitate hip replacement.



Ben reviews epidemiological studies indicating dysplasia and impingement prevalence but points out the lack of studies within cohorts of young patients with significant hip pain. He outlines his study's objective to determine the prevalence of hip pathology in patients under 40 who presented with traumatic hip pain and had been referred for X-rays.



The collected data from pelvic X-rays of 128 hips indicated that a third showed signs of dysplasia and a quarter indicated signs of impingement, yet most were reported as normal. This has led to partnerships with the radiology department for improved diagnostic accuracy, including the development of updated reporting protocols for young patients. The conclusion stresses the necessity of routinely measuring diagnostic angles to better capture cases of untreated hip pathology, with an acknowledgment of the potential nationwide implications for misdiagnoses. The case exemplifies the need for collaboration between clinical departments to enhance patient outcomes.

DOI: 10.1302/3114-251092

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