Loose Bodies of the Hip

The hip is described as a ball and socket joint. The ball of the femur sits deep inside the socket of the pelvic bone called the acetabulum. Several structures including the capsule, ligaments, and tendons hold these bones together.

Sports injuries or trauma may move the ball too much one way or another causing small pieces of bone or cartilage to shear off.

These small pieces are called “loose bodies.”, and it is appropriate to think of these bodies as debris in the joint.

These loose bodies may also be caused by degeneration to the hip joint as happens in many forms of arthritis. These loose bodies may stay in one place or may migrate within the joint. They can often cause pain and stiffness when they are pinched or caught between two moving structures.

Pain or motion loss is seen in the groin where the true hip joint lies. Often, they may spontaneously move causing relief from the pain. However, as they are often constantly in motion, they may move to again cause pain in the same area or another area of the hip.

Hip Arthroscopy

Hip arthroscopy is a unique, minimally invasive outpatient technique that uses fiber-optic cameras and small instruments to treat painful hip conditions that were traditionally repaired through larger open incisions. It can allow for a quicker recovery period, less scarring, and a return to pre-injury activity levels which make it an ideal technique for athletes and those under the age of 55. There are many conditions that can be treated arthroscopically when indicated.