About the Hip Bone

There are two hip bones that form the human pelvis. The hip bone plays a significant role in the ability to walk, run and sit in addition to other activities like riding a bicycle, dancing and adventures like hiking and rock climbing. The ability to do these activities that we take for granted would be restricted if the hip bone is injured or malfunctions. More than 76 million Americans suffer some form of hip pain.

Definition

• The hip bone, also called the innominate bone, is a large flat, flaring bone that forms one side of the pelvis. The hip bone consists of three portions called the illium, ischium and pubis. These three parts are distinct in the young, and they are fused together in adults.

Features

• The hip bone forms an important alliance with the femur or thigh bone. The tip of the thigh bone is formed like a ball that fits into the socket of the pelvis, or ascetabulum, to form a ball and socket joint. The ball and socket joint has a smooth lining of cartilage and thick synovial fluid that cushions and lubricate the joint. This allows for stability and free flowing range of movements without friction to the joint.

Considerations

• Proper functioning hip bones allow one to live a full, adventurous and active life. However when the hip bone and joint malfunction, the result can be painful, restrictive and socially costly in the sense of not being able to actively participate in living life to the fullest. It's important to protect your bones through weight-bearing exercises and adequate intake of vitamin D and calcium.

Causes of Hip Problems

• Some common causes of hip malfunctions are osteoarthritis, which is one of the commonest causes of hip pain. In addition, inflammation of the hip joint and the gradual wear and tear of the joint causes a loss of the cartilage lining the joint and the synovial fluid that lubricates the joint. This results in pain from the rubbing and friction of the bones. Trauma due to a fall can cause a hip fracture or a hip dislocation.

Risk Factors

• The elderly are prone to hip pain and hip fractures, which are due to the wear and tear and the aging process; people who are overweight and those with back injuries are also at risk for hip injuries.

Potential

• Today orthopedic researchers continue to provide evolving advanced technology in surgical techniques to treat hip injuries and malfunctions, including total hip replacements. Total hip replacement is a very successful treatment for patients suffering from painful malfunctioning hip joints.This procedure greatly improves their quality of life.