Heather’s Story: Finding Relief from Teen Hip Pain
Follow her journey to learn what hip dysplasia can look like in a teen, how our pediatric orthopedic team finds the cause and how hip preservation surgery helped her get back to doing what she loves.
Oct. 5, 2026
Treating Hip Pain in Dancers
Heather is a dancer who loves to move. But as a teenager, hip pain began to steal the moments she loved most — the rehearsals, the performances, even just getting through a school day. Her journey to Children's Nebraska gave her something she hadn't felt in years: hope, and a chance to get back to doing what she loves.
What Hip Dysplasia Can Look Like in a Teen
Hip dysplasia doesn't always show up at birth. For some teens, it slowly reveals itself through pain that won't quit, whether during sports, while sitting in class or just walking down the hall.
Heather first noticed something was off during her freshman year of high school, when hip pain started creeping in during volleyball season. Over time, it grew harder to ignore. By the time she came to Children's Nebraska, she was limping and could barely take two steps without discomfort.
"It felt as if my world had just paused and everybody else was just continuing on in life, but my world had kind of came to a halt," Heather said.
Dr. Vivek Dutt, MBBS, a hip preservation surgeon at Children's Nebraska, remembered exactly how she looked at that first visit. "When I saw her the first time, she could barely take two steps. She used to limp," he said.
Hip dysplasia in teens can be easy to miss. The symptoms, including pain, limping, trouble sitting or being active, can look like many other conditions. That's why a thorough, specialized evaluation matters so much.
A Team Approach to Finding the Right Diagnosis
The hip joint is complex, and pain can come from many places. The Children's Nebraska team took a careful, step-by-step approach to find out exactly what was going on with Heather.
Dr. Natalie Ronshaugen, a sports medicine physician at Children's Nebraska, worked with Heather to narrow down the source. Imaging confirmed acetabular retroversion hip dysplasia. A condition where the hip socket faces backward instead of forward. From there it was necessary to confirm that was the cause of pain. One key tool was an ultrasound-guided injection — placing numbing medicine directly into the hip joint to see if it brought relief.
"She stood up after the injection and burst into tears," Dr. Ronshaugen said. "And she just said, 'I haven't been pain-free in years.'"
That moment confirmed the pain was coming from inside the hip joint, and was likely caused by the hip dysplasia, a critical piece of the puzzle.
Hip Preservation Surgery for Hip Dysplasia
Once the team identified the cause, they talked with Heather and her family about a surgical option designed to correct the direction of the hip socket.
Hip preservation surgery aims to restore the natural anatomy of the hip joint, protecting it long term and helping avoid early arthritis or the need for a hip replacement down the road. For the right patient, it can be life-changing.
Dr. Dutt described the procedure clearly: "It's a very invasive surgery turning the hip socket so that it faces in the right direction."
Recovery took time and patience, but Heather wasn't alone through it. Her care team was with her every step of the way, even finding small moments to lift her spirits. And when she was ready, she returned to the life she had put on hold.
"Now that I'm pain free, I'm able to progress in dancing again and getting back in shape," Heather said.
At a follow-up visit, Dr. Dutt shared the news that made everyone smile: Heather was walking, running, dancing and heading to college on a dance scholarship.
When to Seek Care for Your Teen's Hip Pain
Persistent hip pain in a teenager is worth taking seriously. It may be time to talk with a specialist if your child:
Limps
Struggles to sit through class
Has stepped back from sports or activities they love
Children's Nebraska Orthopedics evaluates and treats hip dysplasia and many other bone, joint and muscle conditions in children and teens. You do not need a referral to be seen. Call us: 402.955.6300.
