Figure 1. Basic anatomy of the<unk>  joint The<unk>  is essentially a ball and socket joint. It consists of the head of the femur (the ball) and the acetabulum (the socket). Both the ball and socket are congruous and covered with hyaline (or articular) cartilage, which allows smooth, almost frictionless gliding between the two surfaces. The edge of the acetabulum is surrounded by the acetabular labrum, a fibrous structure that envelops the femoral head. (See fig. 1) The labrum acts as a seal, or gasket, around the femoral head. However, this is not its only function, as it has been shown to contain nerve endings, which may cause pain if damaged. The blood supply of the labrum has also been demonstrated. The joint itself is encompassed by a thick, fibrous joint capsule, which is lined by synovium. The ligaments that keep the<unk>  joint in place are in fact, thickened areas of joint capsule, rather than distinct structures. The synovium generates fluid that lubricates the joint; in that fluid are the nutrients needed to keep the cartilage cells alive. A total of 27 muscles cross the<unk>  joint, making it a very deep part of the body for<unk> c access. This is one reason why<unk>  can be quite technically demanding. The cartilage lining of the socket is in the shape of an inverted horseshoe. The middle of this is termed the cotyloid fossa. Arising from the cotyloid fossa and connecting to the femoral head lies the ligamentum teres. The function of this in the adult is under debate, but in childhood the ligamentum teres carries a blood vessel from the pelvis to the femoral head. This blood vessel usually becomes redundant with age.<unk> c<unk>  surgeons are becoming increasingly convinced that the ligamentum teres acts as an internal stabiliser of the<unk>  joint, and pathological injury to the ligament is now a recognised cause of<unk>  pain and instability.
Hip arthroscopy
Wrist arthroscopy
Back brace
Arthrogram
Bursectomy
Orthopedic plate
Hip resurfacing
Auricular splint