Children’s Healthcare Of Atlanta

ITi - Normal-hip



Normal Hip

Your Child's Hip

The hip joint is a simple ball and socket joint. The ball is called the femoral head and the socket is called the acetabulum. The surfaces of the hip joint are covered with articular cartilage which is lubricated with synovial fluid and allow the two adjoining bones to move nearly friction-free. (The animation to the left demonstrates this.)

The ball and socket joint in the hip is much deeper than other ball and socket joints in the body such as the shoulder. This makes the hip much more stable. The hip is surrounded by a joint capsule which adds even more stability. Lastly, there is a layer of fibrous cartilage around the rim of the hip joint called the labrum that surrounds the hip joint and provides additional depth and stability.

The hip is one of the largest joints in the body and absorbs an enormous amount of stress during our daily activities including walking, running and jumping. Some of the strongest muscles in the body attach to the hip joint enabling us to do all of these activities.

Hip Conditions

A hip condition not caught early in life could lead to larger problems in adolescence and adulthood.

From initial screening to the final treatment and beyond, the Children's Hip Program offers specialized treatment for patients from birth to age 21.