The hip joint is formed by the head of the femur and the cup-like acetabulum of the pelvis. The hips is classified as a ball and socket joint and forms the connection between the bones of the leg, pelvis and spine.
Osteoarthritis is characterised by radiating pain from the hip region. It is often accompanied by a loss of hip range of movement and crepitus or other noises with during movement. Pain in the hip exists before and after activity.
Several different bursa exist in the hip. Greater trochanteric bursitis is the most common form of bursitis in the hip. Bursitis causes pain on the outside of the hip and results in reduced range of movement.
The labrum is a fibrocartilage rim that surrounds the hip joint and gives it stability. A hip labral tear can cause pain in the front of the hip as well as radiating pain into the groin and lower back.
There are 3 types of impingement that can occur:
Cam: With a cam impingement the femoral head is not round and cannot rotate smoothly inside the acetabulum. . A bump forms on the edge of the femoral head and this grinds the cartilage inside the acetabulum.
Pincer: This type of impingement occurs because extra bone extends out over the normal rim of the acetabulum (pelvis). The labrum can also become crushed under this extended rim.
Combined: Both the Cam and Pincer impingement is present
