At the Centeno-Schultz Clinic we acknowledge that the hip is a complex joint and that pain may arise from many different sources which include dysfunctional muscles, stretched or partially torn ligaments, damaged or degenerative fibrocartilage and cartilage structures, all of which is called the hip capsule.
The hip-joint is enveloped in ligaments which collectively compromise a capsule. Prolotherapy is an effective therapy for hip ligament injuries.
The hip capsule is comprised fo three principal ligaments. The ligaments are named from where they attach onto the bone.
The pubofemoral ligament attaches proxmially on the pubic bone and distally on the femoral neck. This is oftne referred to as the anterior hip.
The ischiofemoral ligament attaches proximally on the ischium and distally to the femoral neck. Yep you guessed it, this is often called the posterior capsule.
Pain referral patterns are as follows:
Anterior hip pain typically involves the inguinal area and refers to the knee.
Posterior hip pain typically involves the buttock and radiates down the back of the leg.