INTRODUCTION TO THE HIP (ILIOFEMORAL) JOINT

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.

Last updated 12-4-00 ©Dave Thompson PT
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