Due to this lack of clearance, when the hip is flexed, as in many common activities like running, sitting or bending over, the femur and the rim of the acetabulum rub together, causing significant pain in the joint. Hip impingement is a disorder caused by a lack of room, or clearance, between the head and neck of the femur and the rim of the acetabulum. common hip problems topĬommon hip problems include: hip impingement This tissue produces a small amount of synovial fluid that acts as a lubricant and reduces the amount of friction that occurs when bones move against each other. The other surfaces of the hip joint are covered by a thin, smooth tissue liner called the synovial membrane. Around the rim of the acetabulum is a layer of fibrous cartilage called the labrum, which deepens the socket and provides a suction seal to hold the head of the femur firmly in place. The surfaces of the femoral head and the acetabulum are covered by a smooth, tough material known as articular cartilage, which cushions the bones and allows them to move easily.

Ligaments connect the ball to the socket and keep them both firmly supported. When the joint is healthy, the head of the femur (thighbone) forms a round ball that fits in to the acetabulum, a cavity at the base of the pelvis that forms the socket. The hip, a ball-and-socket joint, is the largest weight bearing joint in the body.

Damaged cartilage in hip