The hip joint: structure, stability, and stress; a review.

A review of the structure of the hip joint as related to its stability is presented. The forces exerted at the hip and along the proximal end of the femur are discussed in relation to the anatomical position of bone and to normal stresses incurred during standing and gait. Clinical considerations of selected hip abnormalities include a review of changes in normal mechanical forces found in coxa valga, coxa vava, arthritis, and fracture.