New Blog PostHow do my hip joints work?

You’ve probably heard the common rhyme - “the thigh bone is connected to the hip bone, the hip bone is connected to the back bone…”

While the rhyme is certainly catchy, it doesn’t give the hip bone the recognition it deserves for the important role it plays in helping us to perform everyday and physical activities. The hip is a complex ball and socket joint that helps you to move your legs when you walk, climb stairs, jog and dance. It is formed where the thigh bone meets the three bones that make up the pelvis - the ilium at the rear, the ischium at the lower front and the pubis above it.

The hip joint importantly bears the weight of our bodies and the force of the muscles in the hip and leg. It is one of the most flexible joints and provides a range of motion that is greater than all other joints, excluding the shoulder joints.

The ball and socket of the hip are kept steady by ligaments connecting the two. The hip joint is also surrounded by a tough, fibrous capsule which helps hold the bones together. The capsule contains a synovial fluid that lubricates the joint to keep the bones in the hip joint from rubbing against one another so your body can move smoothly and easily.

The hip forms the primary connection between the bones of your lower limbs and upper body, so if you are experiencing hip pain it can be very debilitating to your everyday activities.

Most hip pain has a simple explanation, such as strained or inflamed tissues caused by over-exercising. However with age and use, the cartilage can wear down or become damaged which can cause longer term pain.

The first step to taking control of your hip pain is gaining an understanding of how this complex joint works. One of Newcastle and the Hunter Valley’s top Orthopaedic Surgeons, Dr Stuart MacKenzie has created a free guide to help you better understand your hip pain and treatment options.