Hip Surgeons at Missoula Bone and Joint

The surgeons at Missoula Bone & Joint are experts at caring for the many conditions that can affect the hip, including osteoarthritis, fractures and injuries. Hip joint pain can be painful and frustrating, affecting your ability to do even the simplest things such as walking or standing up from a chair. To understand arthritis and other conditions, it’s helpful to know a little about hip anatomy.

Anatomy of the Hip Joint

The hip joint is a ball and socket joint. The rounded head of the thighbone (femur) is the “ball” that fits inside the acetabulum, or the “socket” within the pelvis. Both the ball and socket are covered in a smooth, slippery cartilage, which helps the joint move easily. An additional layer of cartilage, called the labrum, surrounds the outer part of the acetabulum. Large muscles power the hips and legs while tendons attach the muscles to the bones.

As one of the body’s largest weight-bearing joints, it is subject to both injury, and wear and tear caused by aging. When one or more parts of the hip are damaged, movement becomes difficult.

What are your options?

We encourage you to look for options for your hip pain. Imaging, such as x-ray, MRI or ultrasound can help to understand what is causing the pain in your hip joint. Conservative options may include physical therapy and hip injections. It may be recommended that an arthroscopic intervention or a joint replacement is the best option. Don’t allow your hip pain to limit your activity and stop you from doing the things you enjoy.

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