The hip joint is a ball-and-socket joint composed of the pelvic bone, the acetabulum (socket), the femoral head (ball), and the femoral neck. The joint is supported by ligaments, a strong joint capsule, and a network of muscles and tendons. The cartilage covering the femoral head and acetabulum ensures smooth, pain-free motion.
However, factors like trauma, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune diseases, and even collagen deficiency can lead to cartilage erosion, exposing the bones and causing pain, stiffness, and restricted movement. In Israel, around 80% of patients over the age of 65 experience cartilage erosion in the hip joint.
