Hip

 

Anatomy of The Hip

Known as a ball-and-socket joint, the hip is made up of 2 bones – the femur (thigh bone) and the pelvis (hip bone). There is a ball at the end of the femur which fits into a socket (also known as the acetabulum) of the hip bone. This not only stabilises the hips, but also ensures stable weight-bearing. Five groups of muscles are attached to the hip joint, and they enable the hip joint to move through a wide range of movement.

 

There are many strong ligaments (the strong connective tissue between bones) joining the pelvis to the femur that provide increased stability. Bursae are small fluid-filled sacs between the bones and soft tissue lubricate the joints and reduce friction, around the hip the most prominent one is the greater trochanteric bursa.

 

The hip joint is coated with a layer of cartilage, to facilitate smooth movement of the joint. In addition to that, the edge of the socket is lined by a rim of tough fibrous tissue known as the labrum. The labrum acts to increase conformity and stability of the hip joint.

 

Causes & Risk Factors of Hip Injuries

Being a large and stable joint, the hip joint is capable of withstanding sustained wear and tear and in the absence of osteoporosis, takes a lot of force to break them. However, that does not mean that they cannot be damaged.

 

Some of the risk factors of hip injuries include:

 

• Age – the cartilage, labrum wear out over the years, and bones become more brittle increasing the risk of injuries
• Repetitive actions that irritate the hip joint (e.g. athletes and warehouse workers who have to carry heavy loads)
• An event that exerts a large external force on the hips such as a car accident or a fall from a great height

 

Hip injuries can be split into 4 categories: fractures, soft tissue injuries, dislocations, and other pain issues.

 

Are You Experiencing Any of These Hip Conditions?

 

Symptoms of Hip Injuries

The symptoms may vary according to the location and condition of the injury, but common symptoms include feeling pain in the following areas:

 

• Thigh
• Inside of the hip joint
• Groin
• Outside of the hip joint
• Buttocks

 

Over-the-counter medications and icing the injured area can relieve hip pain for the short-term. Do note that underlying conditions, especially arthritis, can cause these symptoms, which is why it is advisable to visit an orthopaedist so that it can be properly diagnosed and treated.

 

Common symptoms of fractures and dislocations are:

 

• Severe pain in the hip or groin area
• Being unable to place weight on the leg
• Stiffness, swelling, and bruising of the hip and surrounding area
• Inability to move immediately following a fall
• The leg attached to the injured hip turns outwards

 

In the event of such an injury, visiting a doctor is vital so that the injury does not get worse and result in long-lasting mobility issues.