Hip

The hip joint is the second biggest joint in the human body after the knee. It connects the pelvis with the thigh. Without the hip, a whole host of movements wouldn’t be possible. They include running, standing, sitting, jumping, dancing and much more. Find out more details about the anatomy and function of the hip joint. We would also like to help you if you’re suffering from pain in the hip area, and explain what you can do to actively promote your hip health.

Thanks to its anatomy, the hip allows us, for one thing, to lift the thigh at a maximum angle of 140 degrees to the front – this type of movement is called flexion. Then again, stretching backward, i.e. extension, is also possible up to 15 degrees. If the pelvis tips forwards during this movement, this angle can be increased, of course. Furthermore, the leg can be moved sideways to a maximum of 45 degrees outward and up to 30 degrees inward. This is called abduction and adduction. Adduction allows us, for example, to cross our legs when standing or sitting. And last but not least, the joint gives us the ability for inward and outward rotation, helping us circle our legs.

However, hip pain may also be caused by back problems. The close connection of the anatomical structures of lumbar spine, pelvis, and hip (also known as the lumbar, pelvic and hip region) often makes it harder to clearly identify the cause of the pain. Osteoarthritis, for example, can include various functional impairments of the joint structures that can affect cartilage, joint capsules, the surrounding muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

Our hip joint works incredibly hard during everyday activities: simply during standing, the entire weight of the torso, head, and arms rests on this joint. During walking, the load increases many times. When walking down the stairs for example, more than 300% of our body weight briefly rests on this ball-and-socket joint. During certain athletic movements, these forces are exceeded yet again. But that doesn’t mean that all this strain is actually damaging to the hip.

Those who want to relieve their hips in the long term should not only work on reducing any excess weight but also strengthen their muscles. Strong back, buttock and thigh muscles are crucial for healthy hips.

We recommend low-impact activities that consist of regular, rhythmical movements, such as cycling, walking, hiking, or swimming. You may also like yoga, tai chi or Pilates. If you vary your exercises, you will protect your joints and muscles from one-sided strain and excessive strain. Regular stretching also prevents shortening of the muscles and maintains hip mobility.