Hip joint

The hip joint is a ball-and-socket joint formed by the femoral head sitting within the acetabulum of the pelvis. In sonography, the hip joint is evaluated in different clinical contexts depending on the patient’s age. In infants, hip ultrasound screens for developmental dysplasia using the Graf technique, measuring the alpha and beta angles to assess the depth of the acetabulum and the coverage of the femoral head. In older children and adults, hip ultrasound is primarily used to detect joint effusions, guide aspiration procedures, and evaluate periarticular soft tissue problems such as bursitis and tendon injuries. The anterior approach is most commonly used, placing the transducer along the femoral neck.