To determine the prevalence of acetabular dysplasia in subjects presenting with hip pain to primary care and its relationship with radiographic osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip.
Cross sectional analysis of a prospective cohort.
35 general practices across the UK.
195 patients (63 male, 132 female) aged 40 years and over presenting with a new episode of hip pain
The prevalence of acetabular dysplasia in this study of new presenters with hip pain was high (32%). There was no significant relationship between acetabular dysplasia and radiographic OA overall.
The high prevalence of acetabular dysplasia across all grades of OA severity suggests that dysplasia itself may be an important cause of hip pain ("symptomatic adult acetabular dysplasia").