June is International Hip Dysplasia Awareness Month. Meet Lila, a patient at Seattle Childrenās, and learn about her journey with hip dysplasia.
To learn more about our Child and Young Adult Hip Preservation Program, visit
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āAround the age of 12 years old, I started experiencing hip and back pain. I noticed it at first when running, walking in the sand, and being active with friends. Eventually the pain became constant. I was in pain walking, standing and even when riding horses. Riding has been a part of my life since I was 9 years old. I am a passionate equestrian and the thought of not being able to ride or participate with my team at events was really upsetting. We tried physical therapy and pain management at first. Then I met with Orthopedics and even a Rheumatologist to try to find answers. Nothing seemed to be working.
Eventually I was referred to Dr. Blumberg, who is a hip specialist, and he knew almost immediately what the problem was. I had hip dysplasia and my femurs were rotated inward. We talked about options and I was left with some decisions to make ā wait and see how it progressed, have a procedure to build out my hip socket, or have a larger surgery to correct my hip socket and straighten my femur. Iād never had surgery before, so I was scared.
After some thinking, I decided to proceed with the more complex surgery, a periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) and femur derotation osteotomy, as it would give me the best chance to live pain free and pursue my passion. In March 2024, I had my first surgery. The recovery was rough, but I had a great team of physical therapists and friends by my side to help me stay motivated, positive, and focused on the end result.
Between December 2024 and November 2025, I underwent two more surgeries. One surgery to remove the hardware from the first surgery and the other to correct my left hip, opting for the more complex procedure again. Iām still recovering from my most recent surgery but was just recently cleared to get back on a horse. This whole experience has taught me to trust the process, focus on the small wins, and be patient with myself. I am beyond thankful for such a fantastic surgical and recovery team that took the best care of me. Looking ahead, Iām excited to be pain free and get back to all the activities I love!ā - Lila