The hip (from the Germanic word hanka, which replaced the term coxa in Latin, hip bone) constitutes the joint uniting the lower limb to the pelvic girdle, at the level of the pelvis (1).

Structure. The hip corresponds to the coxofemoral joint, that is to say to the joint between the femur, the thigh bone, and the coxal bone or iliac bone, located at the level of the pelvis. The femur, the long bone of the thigh, is composed of a head and a neck at the level of its upper part. This head is articulated in the acetabulum, articular cavity of the hip bone. The head of the femur and the cavity of the coxal bone are covered with cartilage approximately 3mm thick. The acetabulum is also surrounded by a fibrocartilage, the acetabular labrum.

Insertions. The whole is united thanks to the joint capsule, fibrous tissue, and thanks to the iliofemoral, ischiofemoral and pubofemoral ligaments, as well as the ligament of the femoral head (2).

Positioning of the lower limb. The hip joint allows the change in positioning of the lower limb. The hip joint is the second most mobile joint, after that of the shoulder (1).

Stability. The two hip joints provide stability to the body.

Lower limb movements. The hip joint allows the realization of different movements of the lower limb:

• Bending : bringing the lower limb towards the front of the body
• The extension : lower limb moving towards the back of the body
• Adduction : lower limb coming closer to the midline of the body
• L’abduction : bringing the lower limb closer to the side of the body
• Medial rotation : rotation of the lower limb towards the midline of the body
• Lateral rotation : rotation of the lower limb towards the lateral face of the body

Weight transmission. The hip bones transmit weight from the upper part of the body to the neck of the femur and then to the lower limbs (1).

Hip pain can manifest itself in different ways and can have various causes such as:

Coxarthrosis. This pathology corresponds to the wear and tear of the cartilage of the hip joint. It manifests as pain in the groin that can extend to the knee (3).

fractures. Within the hip, different fractures can occur such as a fracture of the neck of the femur or a fracture of the acetabulum.

dislocation. Usually linked to a violent shock, it corresponds to a loss of adhesion at the level of the joint. This may be due to a displacement of the femur and / or the hip bone. It may be accompanied by broken bones or torn ligaments (4).

Medical treatment. Depending on the diagnosis, different treatments are prescribed to regulate or strengthen the joint or reduce pain and inflammation.

Orthopedic treatment. Depending on the type of fracture, the installation of a plaster or a resin will be carried out.

Surgical treatment. Depending on the type of fracture, surgery can be performed with internal or external fixation of the joint. In some cases, hip replacement may be necessary (5).

Physical treatment. Physical therapies, through specific exercise programs, can be prescribed such as physiotherapy or physiotherapy.

Physical examination. First, a physical examination is performed to identify the painful movements and the cause of the pain.

Medical imaging exam. Radiography, ultrasound or even MRI can be used to assess hip pain.

The term “hip pointer” is an expression commonly used by sports presenters in Anglo-Saxon countries to designate pain or injury in the hip. (1)