Hip Joint Anatomy (Pelvifemoral Joint)

This course describes hip anatomy; the joint developed by the joining of the pelvis at the acetabulum (hip socket) with the femur (thigh bone) at the femoral head. The hip is also known as the acetabulofemoral joint, pelvifemoral joint, and is occasionally referred to in sections including the pubofemoral joint, ischiofemoral joint, and iliofemoral joint. This course includes descriptions of the bones, synovial joints, joint actions, ligaments, joint capsule, bursae, articular cartilage, relative location, hip muscles, and hip movement. Further, this course discusses palpation and introduces hip joint (lower limb) specific exercises, manual techniques, and interventions for dysfunction, pain, posture, and movement impairment. The hip joint is included in the common compensation patterns known as an anterior pelvic tilt (APT), lower-crossed syndrome (LCS), hyperlordosis, lumbopelvic hip complex dysfunction (LPHCD), and sacroiliac joint dysfunction (SIJD), and Lower Extremity Dysfunction (LED). Sports medicine professionals (personal trainers, fitness instructors, physical therapists, massage therapists, chiropractors, occupational therapists, athletic trainers, etc.) with advanced knowledge of the hip joint will improve their ability to analyze human movement and develop sophisticated exercise programs and therapeutic (rehabilitation) interventions. Further, this course is essential knowledge for future courses discussing injury prevention and physical rehabilitation/physical therapy (e.g. hip pain, hip arthritis, low back pain, lower limb injury, thigh contusion, articular cartilage damage, total hip replacement surgery), the effect the hip joint has on the lower limb and lumbopelvic hip complex alignment (e.g. the relationship between excessive hip flexion and lumbar extension, and hip muscle specific techniques for enhancing sports performance (e.g. lower body (leg) stability, strength, hypertrophy, agility, and power).

Brookbush Institute's most recommended techniques for the Hip Joint (see videos below):

• Assess:
  • Overhead Squat Assessment: Anterior Pelvic Tilt
• Self-administered Techniques:
  • Release: Rectus Femoris Static Release
  • Stretch: Kneeling Hip Flexor Stretch
  • Activation: Quick Glute Activation Circuit
• Manual Techniques:
  • Release: Tensor Fascia Latae (Hip Flexor) Static Manual Release
  • Mobilization: Hip Joint Lateral Manual Mobilization
  • Manipulation: Sacroiliac Joint Chicago Technique

Caption: The acetabulum and femur connecting to form the hip joint