Hip Bursitis: Anatomy of the hip

So you’ve just received the diagnosis that you have bursitis of the hip. How does this happen? Very often the description of what is happening forgets or glosses over the anatomy of the area. This article briefly describes the architecture of the hip.

The main bones of the hip include the femur and the acetabulum. The acetabulum is the socket for the head of the femur and is formed when three bones of the pelvis join (the ilium, ischium, and pubis). The femur inserts into the acetabulum like a ball and socket joint.

The next part of the joint is the ligament capsule that adds strength and stability to the entire joint. The main ligaments attach to the broad surfaces of the ilium and then attach on the femur. The manner in which they attach limit certain movements as well as firmly hold the head of the femur into the socket. The main ligament is the iliofemoral ligament. The other two important ligaments are the pubofemoral and ischiocapsular ligaments.

Hip Bursitis: Anatomy of the hip

Muscles also play an important role in the hip. They actually provide the functionality to the hip. The main groups are the gluteals to the back, the adductors or the groin muscles, and the flexors to the front of the leg, including parts of the quadriceps.

The bursae of the hip are the parts that can get inflamed. They work to pad various parts of the hip minimizing the friction between moving parts. There are many around the hip though three are clinically relevant. The trochanteric bursa protect the head of the femur. This is the largest and most important bursa. The other bursa are the iliopectineal bursa and ischiogluteal bursa. They are found right at the joint and between the ishium and gluteal muscles respectively. Any of these three bursae can become inflamed resulting in bursitis.

Further examination of the anatomy of the hip will help a treatment plan as it enables the patient to target specific points of that area. Continuing education on your condition is important to getting better and staying healthy.