J Korean Hip Soc.  2009 Jun;21(2):107-115. 10.5371/jkhs.2009.21.2.107.

Evaluation of the Hip

• Im GI
• Tae SK
• Oh JS
• Kim JY

• KMID: 1465838
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5371/jkhs.2009.21.2.107

Abstract

The hip is a true ball and socket joint. The hip joint is held in place with ligaments, tendons, and muscles. It is surrounded by a series of bursae which are fluid filled sacs designed to cushion the area. Hip pain may arise from the joint itself, the femur, the pelvic bone, the pelvis, blood vessels and nerves near the hip joint, and even the abdomen. It is important to differentiate true hip pain from other types of pain in the hip region. True hip pain is felt towards the front, in the groin region. It may radiate down the front of the thigh. Physical examination can point to the correct diagnosis. The skilled physician will evaluate range of motion as well as those factors which reproduce the pain. The diagnosis of hip disease usually requires the use of radiologic imaging. The imaging studies include plain films, arthrography, computed tomography (CT) scanning, ultrasound, nuclear imaging, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Keyword

The hip; Evaluation; Physical examination; Radiologic imaging

MeSH Terms

Abdomen
Arthrography
Blood Vessels
Femur
Groin
Hip
Hip Joint
Hypogonadism
Joints
Ligaments
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Mitochondrial Diseases
Muscles
Ophthalmoplegia
Pelvic Bones
Pelvis
Physical Examination
Range of Motion, Articular
Tendons
Thigh
Hypogonadism
Mitochondrial Diseases
Ophthalmoplegia