Hip Joint

Question 1

What type of joint is the hip joint?

Answer 1

It is a ball and socket synovial joint.

Question 2

What is the hip bone made up from?

Answer 2

The ischium, ilium and pubis. There is triradiate cartilage which calcifies at about 20 years of age.

Question 3

What is the name of the socket of the joint and what structure deepens this?

Answer 3

Acetabulum, acetabulum labrum.

Question 4

What strengthens the inferior portion of the acetabular labrum where the notch occurs?

Answer 4

The transverse acetabular ligament.

Question 5

What is the blood supply to the head of femur?

Answer 5

There is a small amount of blood supply through the ligament of head of femur which supplied the head but is not sufficient in neck of femur fracture.

Question 6

Which of the ligaments of the hip joint is the weakest? What is its role?

Answer 6

Ischiofemoral. Limits hip extension.

Question 7

What is the function of the pubofemoral ligament?

Answer 7

This is positioned anteriorly and inferiorly and prevents over abduction.

Question 8

What ligament protects the hip superior,y and anteriorly and prevents hyperextension?

Answer 8

Iliofemoral ligament which is the strongest ligament in the body.

Question 9

Where does the hip joint capsule attach?

Answer 9

The intertrochanteric line anteriorly. Posterio-laterally the neck of femur is extracapsular.

Question 10

What nerves supply the hip joint?

Answer 10

Femoral (anteriorly), obturator (inferiorly), superior gluteal (superiorly), nerve to Quadratus femoris (posteriorly)

Question 11

What is the blood supply to the hip joint?

Answer 11

This is supplied by the deep femoral artery, which gives rise to both medial and lateral circumflex arteries. The medial has a higher role in blood supply to the hip joint.

Question 12

When can hip dysplasia occur?

Answer 12

This can occur when there is a problem with the acetabulum or head of femur, or when there is weakness of the surrounding joint capsule.

Question 13

What is it called when there is fracture through the growth plate of the femur?

Answer 13

Slipped upper femoral epiphysis.

Question 14

What nerve is at risk in hip dislocations?

Answer 14

The sciatic nerve

Question 15

How will a dislocated hip present?

Answer 15

There will be a shortened limb, and then this will be rotated Medially.

Question 16

What is the risk from a femoral neck fracture?

Answer 16

Avascular necrosis because the blood supply through the ligament of head of femur is not sufficient.

Question 17

Describe a trochanteric fracture?

Answer 17

This is an extracapsular fracture and so there is much lower risk of osteonecrosis.

Question 18

What three movements describe the position that a fractured hip will sit in?

Answer 18

Externally rotated, abducted and shortened.

Question 19

Name the bursa which is found between the greater trochanter and gluteus Maximus.

Answer 19

Trochanteric bursa.

Question 20

Name the bursa which can become inflamed from sitting, horse riding or cycling.

Answer 20

The ischiogluteal bursa.

Question 21

If the illiopsoas bursa becomes inflamed, where will swelling present?

Answer 21

Below the inguinal ligament.