The acetabular labrum and developmental dysplasia of the hip

The acetabular labrum, a tough fibrocartilaginous structure attached to the periphery of the osseous acetabular rim, plays an important role in maintaining hip stability, pressure balance, and growth.In the developmental dysplasia of the hip(DDH), the abnormal stress on the acetabulum after dislocation or subluxation of the femoral head causes the labrum to become hypertrophy and degeneration, which become the obstacle of the central reduction.However, the treatment of acetabular labrum in DDH is still controversial.This article reviews the anatomical and imaging features of the normal labrum and DDH labrum and its effect on DDH treatment. Key words: Developmental dysplasia of the hip; Acetabular labrum