INTRODUCTION TO THE HIP (ILIOFEMORAL) JOINT

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• Axes of motion
• Arthrokinematics
• Ligamentous restraint
• Hip biomechanics and the control of posture

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AXES OF MOTION

JOINT	AXIS	MOTION	CLOSE-PACKED POSITION
hip (iliofemoral)	lateral	flex/ext	combined extension, internal rotation, and abduction
	AP	abd/add
	longitudinal	ER/IR

	lateral axis: projects to body's surface near greater trochanter A-P axis: at groin, midpoint of inguinal line vertical (mechanical) axis of hip: a line that connects femur's points of contact with acetabulum and tibia (Kendall, McCreary, & Provance, 1993, p.230). a rare transverse plane view that shows the hip's longitudinal axis

HIP ARTHROKINEMATICS

In an open chain, when the convex femoral head moves on a stationary acetabulum,

FLEXION	femoral head rolls anteriorly and glides posteriorly on acetabulum
EXTENSION	femoral head rolls posteriorly and glides anteriorly
ABDUCTION	femoral head rolls laterally and glides medially
ADDUCTION	femoral head rolls medially and glides laterally

LIGAMENTOUS RESTRAINT

LIGAMENT	ELONGATES WITH AND LIMITS
Iliofemoral	extension and internal rotation
Ischiofemoral	extension and internal rotation
Pubofemoral	abduction and internal rotation
The majority of the three ligaments' fibers are elongated at the joint's close-packed position in combined extension, internal rotation and abduction (Hertling & Kessler, 1996, pp. 288, 764):

References:

Hertling, D., & Kessler, R.M. (1996). Management of common musculoskeletal disorders: Physical therapy principles and methods (3rd ed.). Philadelphia: J.B.Lippincott.

Kendall, F.P., McCreary, E.K., & Provance, P.G. (1993). Muscles: Testing and function (4th ed.). Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins.

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Last updated 12-4-00 ©Dave Thompson PT
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