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 back 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 hips ball (femoral head) and the socket (acetabulum).
The articular cartilage is kept slippery by fluid made in the joint lining.
Hip’s ball and socket is a functional combination of following elements:
- Bones
- Articular Cartilage
- Labrum
- Ligaments
- Muscles
How the Hip Works
To understand the functions, conditions and surgical procedures of the Hip, Dr Nick Vertzyas has included an interactive animated presentation.
The ball of the joint, at the top of the upper leg bone (the femur) and the socket created by the hollow of your pelvis is 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
Treatments for the Hip
Some patients with these Hip conditions may require surgical intervention. Dr Nick Vertzyas performs a range of surgeries that solve many Hip problems, these include:
- Trochanteric Bursitis Treatments
- Total Hip Replacement surgery
- Dual Mobility Hip Replacement surgery
- Anterior Hip Replacement surgery
- Revision Hip Replacement surgery
- Partial Hip Replacement surgery
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 covered by a smooth surface 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.
