The
hip forms the center point of the body, the region that
transitions the solid torso to the mobile lower limbs.
Compared to other joints, movement in the hip is
surprisingly free and unencumbered. Much of this is due
to the hip's ball and socket construction, which like
the shoulder, provides both excellent stability and a
large range of motion.
The two bones of
the hip, the thighbone (femur) and the connective socket
of the pelvis (acetabulum) also have the added benefits
of location. Deeply buried beneath layers of muscle,
ligaments, and tissue, the mechanical elements of the
joint are well insulated from injury causing impacts
Still, the hip
joint is dependent upon many structures working
together, and small imperfections or injuries can become
problematic over time.
