Hip Anatomy

The hip is a ball-and-socket joint that helps you move your legs during everyday activities such as walking and going up and down stairs.

It offers a good range of movement but is very stable and rarely dislocates, even after high-impact trauma. 

The Hip is formed where the thigh bone (femur) meets the three bones that make up the pelvis: the ilium at the rear, the ischium at the lower front and the pubis above it. 

These bones move against each other easily and without pain. A smooth cushion of shiny white articular cartilage about 6mm thick covers the hip’s ball (femoral head) and the socket (acetabulum).

The articular cartilage is kept slippery by fluid made in the joint lining.

The hip’s ball and socket is a functional combination of the following elements:
  • Bones
  • Articular Cartilage
  • Labrum
  • Ligaments
  • Muscles

How the Hip Works


The ball of the joint, at the top of the upper leg bone (head of the femur) moves within the socket created by the hollow of your pelvis (called the acetabulum). 

The joint is surrounded by a tough, fibrous sleeve called the capsule, which helps hold the bones together. The capsule is lined by the synovium that nourishes the cartilage and lubricates the joint. 

The hip joint is moved by a number of muscles that allow you to rotate your hip and walk.

Common Hip Problems

The hip can suffer from both age related degradation, sports problems and other diseases.

Some of these Hip problems are:
  • Arthritis of the Hip
  • Labral Tears and FAI
  • Gluteus Medius Tears
  • Trochanteric Bursitis 
  • Dislocations
  • Fractures
  • Osteoarthritis

About Arthritis

Osteoarthritis is commonly involved in many hip conditions. Arthritis is a general term covering more than 100 conditions where the joint surface (cartilage) wears out.

The joint surface is usually covered by a smooth surface of cartilage that allows pain free movement in the joint.

Osteoarthritis and other forms of inflammatory arthritis can cause deformation of the bone, joint surfaces and other complications. Osteoarthritis can cause continual and debilitating pain in the hip joint.
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