Anatomy of the Hip: Open and Arthroscopic Structure and Function

Hip arthroscopy offers a less invasive alternative for hip procedures that would otherwise require surgical dislocation of the hip. In addition, this procedure allows surgeons to address intra-articular derangements that were previously undiagnosed and untreated. Current indications for hip arthroscopy include management of labral tears, osteoplasty for decreased femoral head-neck junction offset, rim trimming for pincer lesions, rotational instability and capsular laxity, ligamentum teres injuries, lateral impact and chondral injuries, osteochondritis dissecans, internal and external snapping hip, removal of loose bodies, synovial biopsy, subtotal synovectomy, synovial chondromatosis, infection, and certain cases of mild-to-moderate osteoarthritis with associated mechanical symptoms. This article discusses the relevant open and arthroscopic anatomy of the hip and related pathologic and anatomic variations that are commonly encountered during this procedure.