Case: A 28-year-old with borderline left hip dysplasia who underwent arthroscopic acetabuloplasty, femoral osteochondroplasty, and labral repair for femoroacetabular impingement. She did well for 8 years, though required arthroscopic capsulolabral adhesion release 2 years after the initial procedure. After this period of stability, she developed left hip pain during pregnancy. Radiographs demonstrated progressive osteoarthritis that lead to total hip arthroplasty at age 37.
Conclusion: The physiologic and hormonal changes during pregnancy leading to increased ligamentous laxity may put vulnerable patients with hip dysplasia and iatrogenic instability at increased risk for progression of osteoarthritis.
Keywords: Hip instability; Ligamentous laxity; Progressive osteoarthritis.