Your hip joint is composed of three pelvic bones (namely the pubis, ischium and ilium) merging together to form a tight, cup-like socket called the acetabulum. This articulates with the head of the femur to provide a strong load bearing structure that is able distribute weight from the lumbar spine whilst providing enough movement required to rotate during walking, running and sitting.
Like many joints in the body, the hip is known as a synovial joint which means that it is wrapped in a tight capsule of ligaments. This provides the joint surfaces with essential nutrients to help maintain healthy bones whilst providing enough lubrication to stop the hip from becoming stiff.
In addition to this, your hip joint is also the centre for many muscular attachments which allow for a stable but highly moveable joint. There are also numerous nerve structures that pass through this region, most notably the sciatic and femoral nerve branches that descend from the lower back.
Whilst we use our hips every day; we rarely take into consideration their importance until they become painful. With several complex structures contributing to what we know of as the hip joint, there are many reasons why you can experience pain especially within the context of sport and exercise. A physiotherapist can examine the movements at your hip, assess nerve integrity and develop the muscles that may be under active.
Below are a few common conditions that are seen in clinic: