The Hip

The hip joint consists of an articulation between the head of femur and acetabulum of the pelvis. Its primary function of the hip joint is to weight-bear and can ensure this due to the deep shape of the acetabulum, strong supporting ligaments, and action of the acetabular labrum. The femur itself is the longest bone in the body, articulating distally with the tibia (and patella).

A neck of femur fracture is one of the most common orthopaedic presentations, with over 65,000 hip fractures each year in the UK and are becoming increasingly frequent due to an aging population. Early intervention is key to ensure patients can be mobilised early. The hip is the second most affected joint by osteoarthritis as well, therefore forms a substantial part of orthopaedic burden.