Hip arthroscopy is increasingly utilized in the treatment of symptomatic intra-articular hip pathology. Unaddressed development dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is thought to be associated with failure after hip arthroscopy. The aims of this study were (i) to identify the prevalence of previous failed hip arthroscopy in patients undergoing a periactebaular osteotomy (PAO) for the treatment of symptomatic acetabular dysplasia, (ii) report on the temporal trend of failed ipsilateral hip arthroscopy in patients undergoing PAO and (iii) to determine clinical and radiographic characteristics associated with utilization of isolated hip arthroscopy in patients with acetabular dysplasia. We identified 139 patients undergoing PAO who had a history of a prior ipsilateral hip arthroscopy. A comparison group of 1505 patients with a diagnosis of acetabular dysplasia, who underwent PAO alone without any prior ipsilateral surgery during the study period was used. Clinical characteristics, radiographic and intraoperative findings were compared between cohorts. From 2008 to 2015, the rate of previous failed hip arthroscopy in patients undergoing subsequent PAO increased steadily until 2013 with a maximum of 12%. Patients in the study group had mild dysplasia with significantly higher LCEA (17.2° versus 11.3°; P < 0.001) and ACEA (15.6° versus 10.8°; P < 0.001), a lower acetabular inclination (14.0° versus 19.0°; P < 0.001). The findings illustrate a constant increase in the rate of failed hip arthroscopy in the setting of acetabular dysplasia from 2008 till 2013. Female sex and mild dysplasia were associated with use of isolated hip arthroscopy in the setting of acetabular dysplasia.