7. The Hip

>The hip is a ball and socket joint composed of the articulation of the head of the femur with the acetabulum (see Fig. 7.1). Its range of motion (ROM) includes flexion, extension, adduction, abduction, and internal and external rotation [1]. Nerves coursing through the hip region include the sciatic nerve and the lateral femoral cutaneous nerves, both of which can cause pain in the hip region. It is important to realize that nonmusculoskeletal systems may produce “hip pain,” such as the urologic and genital systems, as well as vascular structures.